Long-tailed Koel
Urodynamis taitensis
The Long-tailed Koel (Urodynamis taitensis) is a rare cuckoo found in 12 countries, weighing about 117 g. The long-tailed koel, also known as the long-tailed cuckoo, Pacific long-tailed cuckoo, sparrow hawk, home owl, screecher, screamer or koekoeā in Māori, is a species of the Cuculidae bird family.
About the Long-tailed Koel
The long-tailed koel, also known as the long-tailed cuckoo, Pacific long-tailed cuckoo, sparrow hawk, home owl, screecher, screamer or koekoeā in Māori, is a species of the Cuculidae bird family. It is the only species placed in the genus Urodynamis. It is a migratory bird that spends spring and summer in New Zealand, its only breeding place, and spends winter in the Pacific islands. It is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species and leaving them to raise its chicks.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The long-tailed koel is approximately 40–42 cm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 47–52 cm, and weighs about 120 grams. It has broad pointed wings and a long tail that is softly rounded at the tip. Its beak is short and stout with a slightly hooked tip. It has brown barring to brown upperparts, and dark streaking to white underparts. Both males and females share similar features. A juvenile cuckoo is markedly different from the adult: it is spotted, with buff underneath and on the sides of the head and neck. Adult. Top of head and hindneck, dark brown, boldly streaked buff.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Long-tailed Koel?
- The long-tailed koel is approximately 40–42 cm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 47–52 cm, and weighs about 120 grams. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Long-tailed Koel?
- The Long-tailed Koel is a medium sized bird weighing about 117 g.
- Where can you see a Long-tailed Koel?
- The Long-tailed Koel occurs in 12 countries, including New Zealand, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Samoa and American Samoa.
- What birds look similar to a Long-tailed Koel?
- The Long-tailed Koel is most easily confused with the Black-bellied Cuckoo, the Madagascar Cuckoo and the Pavonine Cuckoo.
- Is the Long-tailed Koel endangered?
- The Long-tailed Koel is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Long-tailed Koel for real
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