I had a fair idea of what the bird was, despite not having seen one previously, before seeking to confirm its ID and as I read the description "crashing into the undergrowth" I knew I was right!
Pheasant Coucal
Katherine, NT
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It look more like a Female or young Koel to me.
Coucals don't have the pale stiped Bellies.
Happy to be corrected though
I agree with female Koel.
Samford Valley Qld.
would a female Koel have that much black under the throat and the side of the head? because my field guide seems to suggest otherwise. I've never seen a juvenile male either, what are they like?
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Yes, I'd also agree with a female Koel. Males have black plumage with agreenish-blue shine and very red eyes and they do look very different to the females.
M.M.
So close to the Id though! Great job getting such a good photo of your koel, those birds are my unicorns!!!!
Hellobirdy, I was thinking the same thing as you about how much black the head had, however when I looked closer I realised that a branch is just covering the lighter stripe of feathers across the cheek.
Nice shot Katherine, and thanks for sharing!
Haha, I didn't notice, its amazing how different such a small branch can make it look :D No doubt about the Koel ID now!
I'm still yet to hear (or see) one this season although they have been widely reported in Canberra for the last month or so, with the first reports coming in in the last few days of October
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Yes, even the smallest branch can make the world of difference :) We've had the koels in our fig tree lately, they are so shy! I can hear them hollering to each other but the second I even step up to a window they hush up and hide :P That's why I'm so impressed at this photo, I can only dream of one like this :)