Many thanks Shorty, I agree with Geoffrey. In my experience females, like juveniles, can be very variable in colour. In the just over a fortnight they have been around this season in Chapman/Rivett,
females have been particularly prominent, including a very dark brown one under, more so than yours, which on flying over I have initially mistaken as a male giving the wrong, ie female
kek kek call, but on several occasions it has perched nearby, clearly showing it’s a very dark female. Jack Holland
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Geoffrey Dabb via Canberrabirds
Sent: Thursday, 30 October 2025 7:50 PM
To: 'shorty' <>; 'Canberra birds' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Female Koel odd plumage
Shorty, your home is a constant source of surprises. - The cleanly spotted wings with no sign of juv barring suggest an adult bird. They are extremely variable as noted in HANZAB,
with ‘orange-buff’ underparts at one end of the range. Of the ACT photos in Cornell Lab your bird could win the prize for darkest underparts, but there are similar ones from Queensland.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of shorty via Canberrabirds
Sent: Thursday, 30 October 2025 5:37 PM
To: Canberra birds <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Female Koel odd plumage
I took this shot at home today, I have never seen a female in this plumage before. An immature?
