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ForestMedium · 117 g
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Long-tailed Koel
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 5 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Long-tailed Koel
The map shades 11 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.
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.
Easily confused with
Black-bellied CuckooPiaya melanogasterThe average length of adults is between 38 and 40.5 cm.
Madagascar CuckooCuculus rochiiThe Madagascar cuckoo is a small, slim cuckoo, measuring 28 cm (11 in) in length.
Dwarf CuckooCoccycua pumilaThe dwarf cuckoo is a tropical American bird species of the cuckoo family (Cuculidae).
Side by side: Black-bellied Cuckoo vs Long-tailed Koel · Long-tailed Koel vs Madagascar Cuckoo
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