Koel fledgling

[jandaholland--- via Canberrabirds <>]

Many thanks Shorty, early in November Christine D and I exchanged correspondence about how often adult Koels (as opposed to fledglings) are on the ground following her observation of this happening (as well as Barbara Allan’s at much the same time).  Based on the earlier correspondence on the COG chatline when Steve Wallace reported one on the ground several years ago, we concluded it was mainly to pick up fallen or low hanging (such as tomatoes) fruit. 

 

Interestingly nearly all the examples including the 2 current ones are of females.  Mine yesterday certainly wasn’t anywhere near fruit and flew off well unlike yours.  Hopefully ACT Wildlife will be able to nurse yours back to good health.  When I first saw your photo, I did wonder whether it was from eating plums (as Geoffrey Dabb has posted several times) rather than blood.  

 

Jack Holland

 

From: shorty <>
Sent: Thursday, 19 December 2024 2:39 PM
To:
Cc: CanberraBirds email list <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Koel fledgling

 

Interesting about the female on the ground.

 

Today at Jerra Wetlands while looking high in the trees I almost stepped on a female, I was alerted to it when it called and took a short flight to a tree, moments later it flew back down to the ground and allowed me to get quite close, it looks like it has an injury so I went to the ACT Wildlife office and reported it.

 

Shorty

 

On Wed, Dec 18, 2024 at 9:18 PM jandaholland--- via Canberrabirds <> wrote:

Thanks Philip, that’s No 7 for the season of which I’m aware.

 

Interestingly breeding activity has been much earlier than I expected this year based on local activity, with the first 5 reported all being surprisingly advanced for early in December.  However, on Monday morning I did find one begging quite loudly and continuously still in a nest, only the second time for me after having observed many fledglings.  I also have heard one begging quite softly in Rivett now for 3 times but have yet to officially record it as I haven’t been able to find it moving around in the dense foliage (so also expected to be a recent fledgling).

 

This afternoon I found an adult female in a patch of grass on the ground where it stayed quietly for at least 30 seconds before flying off, a rare situation for one to be indeed.

 

Jack Holland   

 

From: Canberrabirds <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman via Canberrabirds
Sent: Wednesday, 18 December 2024 3:39 PM
To: 'CanberraBirds email list' <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Koel fledgling

 

My first for the year today at the top of my driveway. Detected by its calling. Very young Koel, small, stubby tail, very unsteady in perching. Two wattlebirds defending it but I did not wait around to see any feeding.

 

Philip

 

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