Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopaceus
Also known as: Western Koel, Common Koel, Koel
About This Species
This cuckoo is heard far more often than seen, its loud, repetitive rising call carrying across towns, gardens and forest edges through much of tropical Asia, especially during the breeding season. It stays hidden in dense foliage of tall trees, so scanning fruiting fig trees at canopy level offers the best chance of a visual, particularly for the glossy black male. Warmer months coinciding with the breeding season bring the most persistent calling and best detection odds.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because this species is secretive and canopy-dwelling, patient listening and scanning from below causes no disturbance and is the practical way to observe it.
- It is a native protected bird across its range, and playback of its call to draw it into view should be used sparingly, if at all, since repeated calling can disrupt natural breeding behaviour.
- Enjoying the call without pursuing a close view is often the more responsible choice with this species.
LCAvesCuculiformesCuculidae
Seasonal Activity
1,154,076 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
Photo
(c) sunnyjosef, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by sunnyjosef
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.