Other Scientific Names
Eudynamys cyanocephala [BirdLife International (2004)], Eudynamys cyanocephala [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Eudynamys cyanocephalus [BirdLife International (2008)]
Other Names (World)
Eastern Koel, Pacific Koel, Australian Koel, Common Koel, Cooee-bird, Rainbird, Stormbird, Indian Koel
Nest
None. Egg(s) laid in that of the foster parents, the large honeyeaters, including Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) and Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata).
Eggs (Guide)
1; smooth, pink or buff, usually with slight sheen, sprinkled with spots, dots and sometimes short wavy streaks of dull purple-red, with underlying markings of purple-grey; oval; about 34 x 24 mm.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous.
Subspecies
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).
The following 8 subspecies are recognised:
orientalis (Latham, 1801) - Southern Moluccas to northern, eastern Australia. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).
picatus Müller, S, 1843 - Kai Islands and Sumba to Timor and Roma.
rufiventer (Lesson, R, 1830) - New Guinea. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).
hybrida Diamond, 2002 - Long I. (off north-eastern New Guinea).
salvadorii Hartert, 1900 - Bismarck Archipelago. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).
alberti Rothschild & Hartert, 1907 - Solomon Is. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).
cyanocephalus (Latham, 1801) - Northern Queensland to southern New South Wales. Winters to Moluccas.
subcyanocephalus Mathews, 1912 - North-western Australia to north-western Queensland. Winters to southern Moluccas.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet