Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Pacific Koel

Eudynamys orientalis

The Pacific koel (Eudynamys orientalis), also known as the eastern koel, is a striking species of cuckoo. Males are cloaked in a glossy black plumage with iridescent blue and green hues, and their eyes are a piercing red. Females, on the other hand, display a more cryptic coloration with brown backs adorned with white spots, and their underparts are a creamy hue, finely barred with black. The young birds take after the female in appearance but can be distinguished by their dark eyes.

Identification Tips

To identify the Pacific koel, look for the male's glossy black plumage and red eyes. Females are more subdued in color but can be recognized by their spotted brown upperparts and striped underbelly. Juveniles resemble females but lack the red eyes.

Habitat

The Pacific koel frequents a variety of environments, including forests, woodlands, plantations, and even urban gardens. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in a range of settings from Wallacea to the Solomon Islands and into northern and eastern Australia.

Distribution

This bird's range extends from the central Moluccas through the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, and into Australia, where it is a familiar harbinger of the spring season.

Behaviour

The Pacific koel is known for its brood parasitism, laying eggs in the nests of large honeyeaters like the noisy friarbird and red wattlebird. Unlike many cuckoos, the koel's chicks do not harm their nestmates. This species is also noted for its vocal duets, which suggest a form of short-term pair bonding within its polygynous mating system.

Song & Calls

The male koel's call is a distinctive and often relentless sound that marks its territory and signals its availability to females. This calling can become a point of contention for humans, as it persists day and night during the breeding season.

Breeding

As a brood parasite, the Pacific koel relies on other species to raise its young. It does not form long-term pair bonds, but vocal communication plays a key role in its breeding behavior.

Similar Species

The Pacific koel can be confused with other cuckoos, but its distinctive call, red eyes (in males), and the female's specific plumage pattern help differentiate it.

Diet and Feeding

Adult Pacific koels are largely frugivorous, enjoying a diet of fruits, which they also share with their young.

Conservation status

The Pacific koel is currently not rated by the IUCN, but the Australian population, included within this species, is classified as Least Concern, indicating a stable presence in the wild.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Pacific Koels on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Cuckoos

A photo of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis)

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Cacomantis flabelliformis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❀️
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.