This post is for Wild Bird Wednesday.
Over the last few weeks the Noisy Friarbirds have almost taken over my back garden so I have become used to hearing their rather harsh voices during most of the day. However, the other morning there was an absolute cacophony of shrieks, cackles, and squarks. (The Dictionary defines cacophony as a harsh discordance of sound and this was exactly what this group of birds sounded like.) In among all this noise there was another 'squark' which I did not recognize. When I went down the back I saw this beautiful female Koel (Eudynamis scolopacea). Koels migrate down from Asia and spend the summer here. They are cuckoos and lay their eggs in the nests of large honeyeaters. The Friarbirds certainly saw this bird as an undesirable resident of the neighborhood.
Since then I have also been hearing the male bird calling close by. This photo is from last year as I have not seen the male close enough for photos this year.
Beautiful photos of the Koel.
ReplyDeletepretty, if not pesky. i like the breast markings on the female - looks like a flock of flying birds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds to see...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series. Thank you for visiting us on "Les Fous du Cap" ;-)
ReplyDeleteCéline & Philippe
What interesting birds to look at. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteYour Koel is a beautiful bird, they are wonderful to see. Sorry they are lazy about taking care of their eggs. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos. I really enjoyed the Friarbird.
ReplyDeleteAlways very interesting to see your fantastic birds! Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia in Sweden
Very good photos! I have never seen this kind of bird before!
ReplyDeleteit is generally a wattle bird here rearing the koel young; I feel so sorry for her and the ardent ritual and they're VERY vocal, unrelentless aren't they? Enjoyed your photographs; I've not been able to get the male like you have; great shot!
ReplyDeletelol, I guessed for a cuccos as soon as I saw the shot. :) Nice one.
ReplyDeleteThis is a striking bird - the female for the patterned feathers and the male for that black sheen and bright red eye.
ReplyDeleteHowever striking I don't think I'd want the noise in my yard.
Lovely shots and post Mick!
Yes another post by you:) You have so many birds I know nothing about.....what an amazing creature and nice close ups you have. Koel. I'll need to add this to my book of birds to find one day when we finally travel over to your neck of the woods. Keep those birds coming:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of these birds, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHe's really beautiful -- our birds that have those kind of bad habits aren't so pretty (easier to dislike when they're plain old starlings).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures you show :)
ReplyDeleteHanne Bente
Very nice bird! They dont really get down as far as me on anything like a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should stop going to Dubai and go to Queensland!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hmmm. Interesting problem having to rear someone else's demanding young! But they are handsome birds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of these beautiful birds! Love the patterning of the female's plumage.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely assortment of birds you get to see!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, you are correct, my pied shag was nesting in a kowhai tree!
Amazing shots! Glad we don't have to listen to them, though.
ReplyDeleteWow....gorgeous patterns on the tail feathers. Such an interesting bird the Koel is.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm a bit late in visiting, but, have had a couple of days where the computer is not very cooperative!!
They're gorgeous....love the bright red eyes!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Koel, a cuckoo I have never heard of. Too bad they are nest parasites like our Cowbirds in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteQuite an ornate and unusual bird. Very beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteThat Friarbird is a great looking thing. Not a species I've heard of before.
ReplyDelete