Lexi Webster
The Pacific Koel, also known as the Eastern Koel, is colloquially referred to as the 'Rain Bird' or Storm Bird in Australia. The Storm Bird is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. Its call is described as a loud, repetitive 'coo-ee' song, with males also making 'rolling' type phrases and females making high-pitched shrieking 'kik-kik-kik-kik' notes. The Storm Bird's call is said to precede an afternoon storm, and it is often heard during the wet season in Australia, particularly in Brisbane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eastern Koel, Pacific Koel, Common Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo |
| Colloquial Names | Stormbird, Rain Bird, Floodbird |
| Migration Pattern | Arrives in northern Australia from Papua New Guinea in September with the onset of the wet season |
| Habitat | Leafy, fruiting trees on the fringes of woodlands, rainforests, streams, and suburban backyards |
| Diet | Fruits, especially figs |
| Call | Loud, repetitive 'coo-ee' song, ''rolling' type phrases, high-pitched shrieking 'kik-kik-kik-kik' notes |
| Behavior | Perched in high positions, calling and displaying; shy and unlikely to let humans approach |
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What You'll Learn
The Eastern Koel is also known as the Pacific Koel
The Eastern Koel, also known as the Pacific Koel, is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766, who placed it with the cuckoos in the genus Cuculus and gave it the name Cuculus orientalis. The Pacific Koel is now classified under the genus Eudynamys, which was introduced in 1827 by naturalists Nicholas Vigors and Thomas Horsfield.
In Australia, the Eastern Koel is colloquially referred to as the "rainbird" or "stormbird" due to its arrival coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. They migrate to Australia during the wet season and are commonly heard from mid-September onwards. The male Pacific Koel has a loud, repetitive 'coo-ee' song, while females make high-pitched shrieking 'kik-kik-kik-kik' notes, often when interacting with males.
The Eastern Koel is a migratory bird that travels to Australia to breed, arriving in southeast Queensland in spring and staying until March or April when they return to Indonesia. They are commonly found in suburban backyards, preferring leafy, fruiting trees on the fringes of woodlands, rainforests, and streams. Eastern Koels feed on fruits, especially figs, and their call is often heard during the summer rain season, making them a familiar sound of spring and early summer in eastern Australia.
The Eastern Koel is known for its distinctive call, which has been described as a pretty and unique call. However, some people find the noise annoying, especially during the early morning hours. The Eastern Koel's call has also been likened to a bird saying "alright" in a drawn-out manner.
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The Storm Bird is sometimes referred to as the Rain Bird
The Storm Bird, or the Eastern Koel, is sometimes referred to as the Rain Bird. This colloquial name is due to the bird's distinctive call, which often coincides with the summer rain season in Australia. The Storm Bird, or Rain Bird, is a migratory bird that travels to Australia to breed, arriving in Queensland in spring and staying until March or April when it returns to Indonesia. Its call, a loud, repetitive "coo-ee" song, is a familiar sound of spring and early summer in eastern Australia. The male birds also make a "rolling" call, while females make a high-pitched shriek, often when interacting with males.
The Storm Bird is also known as the Channel-billed Cuckoo, a large bird native to the Australo-Papuan region, with a wingspan of up to one metre. Its call has been described as a loud, rasping sound, echoing that of its dinosaur ancestors. The Channel-billed Cuckoo is one of the few migratory birds experiencing an increase in numbers in some areas, possibly due to the increasing abundance of the Australian Magpie and Pied Currawong, which are habitat generalists.
The Eastern Koel, or Pacific Koel, was formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766. It was previously regarded as the same species as the Common Koel of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, but taxonomic changes have since split them into two separate species. The Eastern Koel is a cuckoo in the family Cuculidae and is now placed in the genus Eudynamys.
The Storm Bird, or Rain Bird, is often heard in suburban backyards, where it feeds on fruits, especially figs. Its call is said to precede an afternoon storm, hence its name. While some appreciate the call of this bird, others find it annoying, especially when it disrupts sleep.
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The Storm Bird is a colloquial name for the Channel-billed Cuckoo
The Storm Bird, also known as the Eastern Koel, is a colloquial name for the Channel-billed Cuckoo. This species of cuckoo is the largest in the world, with a length of 56-70 cm (22-28 inches) and a wingspan of 88-107 cm (35-42 inches). The Channel-billed Cuckoo has a distinctive appearance, with a bi-coloured bill that is grey at the base and straw-coloured at the tip, pale grey plumage, and prominent red skin around the eyes. Its large size and curved bill have led to comparisons with hornbills and toucans.
The Channel-billed Cuckoo is found in northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and other parts of the Pacific region. It is a migratory species, arriving in Australia between September and November to breed. During the breeding season, male Channel-billed Cuckoos woo females with gifts of fruit and insects, and the pairs bond by calling to each other. The species is notable for being the largest brood parasite in the world, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species, such as the Torresian Crow and Pied Currawong.
The Channel-billed Cuckoo's call is loud and raucous, making it more often heard than seen. Its call has been described as a repetitive "coo-ee" song, with males also making "rolling" calls and females producing high-pitched shrieking notes. The loud and distinctive call of the Channel-billed Cuckoo is said to precede afternoon storms, earning it the colloquial name of Storm Bird.
The Channel-billed Cuckoo has a strong presence in Australian culture, with its arrival heralding the beginning of summer. Its unique call is considered by some to be a pleasant aspect of the wet season, while others find it annoying, particularly when the birds call during the early morning or late at night. Despite mixed reactions to their call, these birds are a well-known part of the Australian soundscape during the warmer months.
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The Storm Bird's call is loud and rasping
The Storm Bird, or Eastern Koel, is a migratory bird species that travels to Australia to breed. Its distinctive call is a loud, rasping sound that has been described as "coo-ee," "kik-kik-kik-kik," or a harsh shriek. The male Storm Bird also makes a "rolling" call. Their calls are heard day and night, but they seem especially haunting after dark.
The Eastern Koel is a large cuckoo with a wingspan of up to one meter and is identifiable by its bright red eye and socket and its impressive toucan-like grey bill. They are commonly found in suburban backyards, preferring leafy, fruiting trees on the fringes of woodlands, rainforests, and streams.
The name "Storm Bird" comes from the fact that their calls often precede an afternoon storm. They arrive in northern Australia from Papua New Guinea with the onset of the wet season in September and gradually move southwards.
The loud, rasping call of the Storm Bird is a familiar sound of spring and early summer in eastern Australia. It is one of the few migratory birds experiencing an increase in numbers, which has been attributed to the rising population of Australian magpies and pied currawongs.
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The Storm Bird migrates to Australia for the wet season
The Storm Bird, or Eastern Koel, migrates to Australia for the wet season. This large cuckoo, with its distinctive call, is a regular seasonal migrant native to the Australo-Papuan region, which includes Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. They arrive in northern Australia from Papua New Guinea in September, when the rainy season begins, and move steadily southward. The Storm Bird is a habitat generalist, meaning it can adapt to different environments and has a varied diet. This adaptability has allowed it to benefit from the increasing abundance of Australian magpies and pied currawongs in southern Queensland and eastern NSW.
The Eastern Koel is a migratory bird that travels to Australia to breed. They arrive in southeast Queensland in the spring and stay until March or April when they head back to Indonesia. Their breeding season is from September to February, coinciding with the summer rain season in many areas. The male Eastern Koels have a loud, repetitive 'coo-ee' song, while females make high-pitched shrieking 'kik-kik-kik-kik' notes. Their calls can be heard day and night, but they seem especially haunting after dark.
The Storm Bird is also known as the Channel-billed Cuckoo, which is one of the few migratory birds experiencing an increase in numbers in some areas. Its call heralds the start of spring for many Australians. The First Australians traditionally knew this bird as the stormbird, floodbird, or rainbird due to its propensity for arriving with the rainy season. The Channel-billed Cuckoo has a wingspan of up to one meter and is easily identifiable by its bright red eye, impressive grey bill, and raucous call.
The Eastern Koel, or Storm Bird, is a source of fascination and frustration for Australians. Some appreciate the unique call of this bird, while others find its squawking disruptive, especially during the night. Despite this, the Storm Bird is a distinctive part of Australia's natural landscape and has been described and illustrated by naturalists since the 18th century.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian storm bird, also known as the Eastern Koel, is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
The Australian storm bird is commonly heard during the wet season, from mid-September onwards.
The male Australian storm bird has a loud, repetitive "coo-ee" song, while the female makes high-pitched shrieking "kik-kik-kik-kik" notes.
The Australian storm bird is commonly found in suburban backyards, particularly in leafy, fruiting trees on the fringes of woodlands, rainforests, and streams.
