Very interesting that we still
have so many observations of Koels, males calling, and until recently also
sightings of females. Amongst other things there may be 2 explanations for this:
There is still plenty of food in the many fruit trees across town. Importantly,
their main host, the Red Wattlebird, appears to have had an extended breeding
season this summer. Over recent weeks I found in many places still pairs with
dependent young, although in most cases the young were getting close to adult
size. But today at the Ainslie shops were two young only quite recently out of
the nest. This would indicate that host nest suitable for laying were available
to the Koel at least until early January. The latest observation by Michael
Kingsford (posted today) of a dependent Koel being fed by Red Wattlebirds
confirms that some female Koels have managed to locate such late broods and to
deposit an egg in them.
Michael Lenz
