Maryanne,
Does your bird have access to a view of the sky? If it is in an enclosure that does, and it starts consistently directing its activities towards the northern
part of the aviary (and it is able to feed itself), then it is ready to go. This behaviour has been known since 1950s, in at least some migratory birds (not this species of course). Actually it would be interesting to know if it shows this zugunruhe behaviour
at day time or at night time (if at all). Maybe they migrate at night. Would not surprise me if it happens at night. It took me a while to find this word. I tried several books to find it without success. I knew it was a German word but I forgot how to spell
it. I thought it was zeigenruhe. Sad to say internet got a result, when the first 6 of 7 books I checked didn’t – the 7th did. See for example
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugunruhe
Anyway that there are still other dependent juveniles around, suggests it is not late yet. But I wouldn’t be concerned about whether there are any other Koels
nearby when it is released.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Maryanne Gates via Canberrabirds
Sent: Thursday, 25 March, 2021 11:05 AM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Koel migration
Does anyone know if there are still koels in the region or have they started their migration?
We have one in care that is ready for release, but not sure if they have already left and if so, does this one need to be in care over winter (hope not!)
Maryanne Gates
Bird Coordinator
Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc
PO Box 1404 Queanbeyan NSW 2620
www.wildcare.com.au
0411 422 897
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