Mum was hovering back and forth poor girl. Koel never seems to let up harping throughout the day. I know because the nest is in the tall bottlebrush next my side boundary fence.
Here she is; diminutive in comparison; the Little Wattlebird.
Traditionally the Koel will lay a single egg in a nest, and perhaps several nests.
Sharing with The Pine River Review for
that koel has beautiful markings! poor mama bird! doesn't know why she's raising such a behemoth!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Wonderful photos. As for Sinbad and respecting the birds, he's pretty unique in that. I'll let him come out with us while we set on the deck. He'll just lie there on the table casually watching the birds come and go with little interest. Now if a squirrel comes by it's a whole different issue. I have to get him and put him back into the house.
ReplyDeleteWow .... amazing shots, you had a happy day to take these great photos.
ReplyDelete...fantastic and wonderful...
Best regards, Karin
Oh my, so do these birds do this often? We have several species that will place eggs into another species nest, for them to raise and it always seems sad. I always wonder about such mysteries like this and how they came about. Enjoyed this post~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this action Carole. That's a new species for me to see.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. It always amazes me the way such small foster parents manage to keep a Koel chick fed.
ReplyDeleteIs the baby is one holding open its wings? Wow, what a big baby. The mother bird looks small. Great series!
ReplyDeleteIs this your equivalent of the Cuckoo we have as a summer visitor in the UK?... Parents laying their eggs in another species nest...?
ReplyDeleteHi Carole, You have the most interesting birds there. The poor mama is probably wondering what kind of monster she is raising.
ReplyDeleteVery nice captures.
ReplyDeleteRegards and best wishes
Funny how they will care for the "intruder" baby even though it's not their own. Perhaps they can't tell the difference. Wonderful photos, Carole!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteOur Cow birds do that here in Canada.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments; always a good feeling to know others are enjoying your photo posts.
ReplyDeleteMary: This is characteristic of the Koel (a cuckoo specie) to do this. I doubt they do it any other way.
Eileen: Yes, you got it, the koel is the larger, speckled bird (with it’s wings open).
Andrew: Yes, no doubt the equivalent of your own summer visiting cuckoo; also the Channel-billed cuckoo (with that large beak), that I’ve posted on in the past. They’re the two familiar to me, but there may be other species.
Horst: Now I’d like to see a photo of your cow-bird
This definitly reminds me of a Brown-headed Cowbird. Thank you for sharing Mum and her "baby".
ReplyDeletei like your style in photography...so natural and spontaneous!
ReplyDeletebeautiful and unusual birds!
ReplyDeleteIt's markings make me think of a hawk. Nature is so interesting. Why would a species of bird not want to stay and raise it's young? We do have the cowbirds in the states that do the same. Thank you so much for stopping by my place earlier and saying hi!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this particular bird before, but I do know Oz has some amazing birds. Great picture essay.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture Carole. You seem to have lots of sunshine down in Oz. can you send some to the UK please?
ReplyDeleteAmazing plumage, great camouflage for this bird in this setting.
ReplyDeleteSome avian adaptations are hard to accept by people, but they have allowed some species to survive.
ReplyDeleteThe Koel is an attractive bird.