Koel cuckoos have been swooping and calling around our house the last couple of days. They arrive in this neck of the woods in spring and head off again for northern climes in autumn. While here, they lay eggs in another bird’s nest and leave it up to the host family to feed the youngster. Typical cuckoo.

This is a female Koel cuckoo. They’re impressive to look at, and quite decorative in contrast to the completely-black male of the species.

An earlier post shows a male Koel cuckoo, and you can play the video in that post to hear their call.

Common name: Common Koel or Eastern Koel

Scientific name: Eudynamys scolopacea

Approximate length: 45 cm

Date spotted: 10 November 2018 (spring)

Location: Allambie Heights, NSW, Australia