Common Koel

Once upon a time, there was a large cuckoo, with distinctive voice and plumage.  In part, this is what my Readers Digest Birds of Australia book says.  Today's post is about this juvenile koel.  The female will look identical, only for having red eyes like her male counterpart.  However that's where the likeness ends with a pair of koels, same eyes, but he will sport an all-over glossy-black plumage.

Quoted also from the same book, "habitat: open forests and woodlands, scrub, mangroves, gardens and orchards".  On this occasion, I guess you'd class this your not so typical, garden setting then.  

Had arranged this week, to meet with a birding-friend for coffee.  A cappuccino, a flat-white, and lots of chatting happening on one side of a heavy plate-glass window, and out of the corner of my eye, a cuckoo on the other!  Definately not your every-day encounter; what a thrill for us both!

Camera?  I hadn't expected I'd need one, for a golden opportunity like this, just right.. out there, so close.  But I did have one out in the car!  I felt sure though,  if I got up and left the scene for it, that the koel would too, so I tried to just enjoy watching instead.  Till it really got the better of me, and I had to go get it.

Just resting up a while, after feasting on these fruits, belonging to the palm tree alongside.

  Eudynamys cyanocephala, now that's a mouthful!

Gulp!

 The (tail) end.


Oh, but there is a little extra surprise for today's W.B.W. with this: Eastern Rosella

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