Showing posts with label asian koel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asian koel. Show all posts

Birds of Annakkili Amma Research Institute | April observation published on World Big Day of Ebird


 On the day of "World Big Day" I would like to share the list of birds, I observed during the month of April 2021.

Common Name: Rock Pigeon

Scientific Name: Columba Olivia   (Columbiformes > Columbidae)

Around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI) we could observe more Feral pigeons... Here we are sharing the group photo of a small group of feral pigeon at the backside of AARI


Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)


Greater Coucal

Common Name: Asian Koel

Scientific Name: Eudynamys scolopaceus (Cuculiformes > Cuculidae)

Around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI) we could observe at least 4, Asian Koels, every day and someday at a certain time we have even observed more than 10 Asian koels... Here is the link for a small write-up on Asian Koel from us. Follow the link to see more photos. 

Asian Koel

Common Name: Asian Palm-Swift

Scientific Name: Cypsiurus balasiensis (Caprimulgiformes > Apodidae)

Around six Asian Palm-swift are there near AARI...

Common Name: Eurasian Moornhen

Scientific Name: Gallinula chloropus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)



Common Name: Gray-headed Swamphen
Scientific Name: Porphyrio poliocephalus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)

One pair of Swamphen residing near AARI. they could be seen all day.


Common Name: White-breasted Waterhen
Scientific Name: Amaurornis phoenicurus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)
more than three pairs of White-Breasted Waterhen was breeding near AARI and gave birth to 5 chicks each. so here near AARI you could find more water hens all day. 

Red-wattled Lapwing

Common Name: Bronze-winged Jacana
Scientific Name: Metopidius indicus (Charadriiformes > Jacanidae)
    A pair of Matured Jacana was laid eggs and hatched 4 jacana chicks near AARI... according to our observation, this could be the second time hatching for this jacana pair.

Indian Cormorant

Cattle Egret

Glossy Ibis

Black-headed Ibis

White-throated Kingfisher

Indian Roller

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Black Drongo

House Crow

Common Tailorbird

Red-vented Bulbul


Yellow-billed Babbler

Common Myna

Purple-rumped Sunbird

Purple Sunbird

Indian Silverbill

White-Browed Wagtail


Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal

Species observed around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), on 22nd April 2021 (Birds of Chennai Wetlands/ Medavakkam Marshland)

 Species observed around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), on 22nd April 2021

Passeriformes > Pycnonotidae / Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)


Species

Count

Location

Observation type

Observation date

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

30

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Greater Coucal

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Asian Koel

7

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Asian Palm-Swift

4

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Eurasian Moorhen

16

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Gray-headed Swamphen

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

White-breasted Waterhen

15

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Bronze-winged Jacana

3

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Cattle Egret

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Indian Pond-Heron

6

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Glossy Ibis

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Black-headed Ibis

1

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

White-throated Kingfisher

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Black-rumped Flameback

1

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Rose-ringed Parakeet

16

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Black Drongo

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

House Crow

13

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Common Tailorbird

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Plain Prinia

1

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Red-vented Bulbul

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Yellow-billed Babbler

10

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Common Myna

5

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Purple-rumped Sunbird

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Purple Sunbird

2

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21

Indian Silverbill

6

Annakkili Amma Research Institute

Traveling

22-Apr-21


Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus (Cuculiformes, Cuculidae) ஆசியக் குயில் Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceusஆசியக் குயில் 

 
Asian Koel Black (Male), and White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)  

        To my wonder, Asian koels are more over here. nearly ten or more Asian Koel are spotted near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI). In Chennai, we used to spot one or two asian koel but here in Medavakkam Marshland it more in numbers.  It is more pleasant when we hear their song in the early morning. and there is a bush of trees present near AARI, where you can find koels full day. 

        

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genus: Eudynamys
Species: E. scolopaceus
Binomial name: Eudynamys scolopaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)


Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                The Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. It forms a superspecies with the closely related black-billed koels, and Pacific koels which are sometimes treated as subspecies. The Asian koel like many of its related cuckoo kin is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of crows and other hosts, who raise its young. They are unusual among the cuckoos in being largely frugivorous as adults. The name koel is echoic in origin with several language variants. The bird is a widely used symbol in Indian and Nepali poetry.

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

            A large cuckoo, distinctive in all plumages, but usually secretive, keeping to the interior of dense trees in many habitats, even inner cities, and fields. Adult males glossy black with the dull lime-green bill; females and immatures blackish-brown with white dots on the wings and strong streaking on head and throat. Adults have ruby-red eyes. Females lay eggs in the nests of other large birds, including crows, shrikes, and starlings. The song is a loud, persistent “ko-EL!” similar to a peacock’s call.


Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        It is a brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of medium to large passerines, particularly crows and magpies (Corvidae), mynas and starlings (Sturnidae), orioles (Oriolidae), drongos (Dicruridae), laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae), and Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach). In contrast to most brood-parasitic cuckoos, nestlings of koels and foster parents usually grow up together.


Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        The Indian Subcontinent through east China, the mainland south-east Asia, the Phillippine, and the Sundaic Islands. Also Maldives, Laccadives, Andamans and Nicobars. A rare visitor to the Middle East. Accidental Korea and Japan


Asian Koel Black (Male),  (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Both resident and breeding migrants occur in secondary forests, mangroves, swamp forests, coastal scrub, forest edges, orchards, plantations, and city parks. Recorded up to 1,800 m in the Himalayas.


Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Asian Koel could potentially turn up in any habitat with trees or tall vegetation. Passage birds have been recorded in Phragmites reedbeds and hill forests. 


Asian Koel  White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Based on the identification of female birds on plumage, migrant chinensis seemingly favors forests on small islands and coastal areas as they outnumber resident malayanus in such habitats in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Also winters in the mature evergreen forest. Any areas with trees in locations absent of territory-holding resident birds can perhaps be occupied by winter visitors.


Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Arboreal. Visits trees with ripe fruits. Usually skulking in dense foliage above middle story and in the canopy. Rarely comes to the ground to feed. Non-breeding visitors often inhabit the canopy of mature evergreen forests where resident birds shun.

Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

            The hook at the tip of the upper mandible, atypical for cuckoos, is useful in plucking ripe fruits. This may also enable it to opportunistically capture small birds as does Pacific Koel. Nectar, large insects, and snails are also taken. Hops among branches in fruiting trees and takes berries one at a time. Most fruits grasped are small, but up to the size of 41 mm has been reported. Fruits are swallowed whole and large seeds are regurgitated. Females frequently consume eggs of other birds, usually as they lay their own. A total of four eggs was reported taken from a bulbul nest within only 4 seconds. 


Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Fruits of figs (Ficus), mulberries (Morus), jujubes (Zizyphus), Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora), wild cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), java olive tree (Sterculia foetida), large-flowered bay tree (Persea macrantha), sandalwood (Santalum), Pithecellobium dulce, guava (Psidium guajava), nuts of various palms including Chinese fan palm (Livistoma chinensis), oil palm and (Archontophoenix alexandrae), poisonous fruit of Yellow Oleander (Thevatia neriifolia), nectar of Indian coral tree (Erythrina indica), nectar and flower of bluebellvine (Clitoria ternatea), fruit and nectar of papaya (Carica papaya).
Eggs of host species and other passerines such as Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and Yellow-vented Bulbul (P. goiavier). Large insects, including grasshoppers, mantids, stick-insects, caterpillars. Snails are also occasionally taken.


Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Usually vocalizing from dense cover in the canopy. In contrast with typical wintering cuckoos, Asian Koel is noisy even as non-breeding visitors, albeit less vocal, and at night. Male has a wide range of repertoire.

Both sexes give repetitive, bubbling koh-koh-koh-koh, with a falling end wuroo-wuroo-wuroo or drawn out wheeoo. The loud, strident kik-kik-kik-kik, is frequently heard given by females both in flight and when perched. Females engaged in a flight usually emit harsh chuck-chuck-chuck.


Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)



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