Hello Maryanne,
I don’t know that there is any evidence that Koels migrate as a group. It is almost certainly a solitary movement. I just skimmed through the HANZAB text and
did not find any suggestion of social migration. Also juvenile Koels would especially appear to be unlikely to migrate socially. Simply because they breed at low density and are simply unlikely to meet others. Also no part of their life, up to that point,
has involved any close interaction with any other koels. It would seem very strange that they would get together at that stage. I wonder how that would be of any benefit. Sure, nature is full of strange things…… I know I am generalising and there could be
the exception of being at the same place at the same time.
If the bird is OK to be releasable, I can’t think of any reason to retain it over winter. Unless there is some reason for doing so, that you have not indicated.
I see Jack has answered about the timing and that this would be a late one but not overly so. This is an ongoing situation of change and it could still be subject to more change.
I don’t think cold is an issue. Plenty of other birds, especially much smaller ones, survive perfectly fine through our winters. The reason for koels migrating
could easily be food availability, or just some inbuilt ancient instinct, much more than temperature.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Maryanne Gates via Canberrabirds
Sent: Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 5:01 PM
To: ;
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Late Koel fledgling
Can anyone tell me what is the latest date we have had fledglings in the region and whether they migrate singly or as a group?
I have a fledgling that will be in care for at least another week or two and am wondering if I will need to keep it over winter?
Maryanne Gates
Bird Coordinator
Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc
PO Box 1404 Queanbeyan NSW 2620
www.wildcare.com.au
0411 422 897
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On Tue, 4 Apr 2023 at 16:55, jandaholland--- via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
After thinking my Koel fledgling season was well and truly over, not having seen one since 1 March, I heard the unmistakable begging and traced it to a spindly gum in amongst the
casuarinas on the E side of the Stirling netball courts this afternoon. Without binoculars it seemed quite brown under but still appeared to have a golden crown and the tail did not appear to be fully developed. It was attended by a couple of Red Wattlebirds.
It’s pretty late though still not as late as a couple in the bumper 2020-2021 season. Jack Holland
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