Yes Philip, in my experience they not only vary in colour from very light to quite dark brown, but also in size and shape, from quite slim to quite bulky. I will be showing some examples on Wednesday
evening, Regards Jack Holland
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Monday, 8 February 2021 11:01 AM
To: 'COG list' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Distinguishing female and juvenile Koels
Apart from the really obvious that the birds grow as they age, over this period, I get the impression that there is a lot more size variation in DY Koels, after
they leave the nest, than for most other birds. Any ideas about that? Although I have never seen 2 DY Koels together, the one I saw at Isabella pond was, I thought, a lot bigger than the one at my home over the same few days (home one was around yesterday).
Even though otherwise at a similar stage by behaviour & tail length. I have thought this for a while.
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of Robin Hide via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 8 February, 2021 9:16 AM
To: ;
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Distinguishing female and juvenile Koels
Jack,
many thanks for your reply.
Just had another in the garden- younger (I think) and begging: (a RWB in the plum tree nearby). The Koel sitting on the sunscreen over our raspberries. and then into the plum tree
7 Toms Crescent, Ainslie. 8 Feb. 21
Roin
From:
[m("bigpond.com","jandaholland");">]
Sent: Tuesday, 2 February 2021 3:59 PM
To: Robin Hide
Cc:
Subject: RE: [Canberrabirds] Distinguishing female and juvenile Koels
Many thanks Robin, I am preparing my presentation on the ACT Koel for the COG meeting and one slide makes the following points which I’ll also illustrate with photos (but field guides also show)
- Female spotted on back, black head/under chin
- Fledgling/juvenile barred back and wings, often a golden crown, tail may be short but grows, as does amount of black on crown and under chin
- Fledgling colour can be very variable from very light to quite golden, to quite brown
