The discussion re Koel is very pertinent. We suspect that there is one of
the Asian form, i.e. Common Koel currently on Christmas Island. Seen and
heard by Barry Bucholtz and Stuart Pell it was an all black male (not
distinguishable on plumage) with a call 'similar, but not identical' to the
familiar Australian bird. This form, or as some would have it, species, has
not certainly been recorded from Australian Territory before but there are
previous reports of Koels from Christmas Island and a female (inadequately
described) from the Cocos Islands. As Tom said, the published view of
Australian authorities, HANZAB and Christidis & Boles, regard these as forms
of the same species but this could change to follow some Asian authorities
when C & B issue their much anticipated revised list.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mt Eliza VIC 3930
Ph: (03) 9787 7136
Email:
In reply to Mike Simpson, Tom Tarrant said: -
> Hi Mike,
>
> I'm not sure if you've done much birding in Asia before but the female
> (and juvenile) Common Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) look rather different
> to ours (Australian E.cyanocephala) and to my ear sound slightly
different.
>
> If you can borrow or have a copy of the Birds of Wallacea by Brian
> Coates & David Bishop there is a good description of both species.
>
> I'm afraid there is a big divide between Asian and Australasian bird
> taxonomy and both should be looked at together (re: Clamorous &
> Australian Reed Warbler, Little & Black-backed Bittern, Spangled &
> Hair-crested Drongo, etc......there are taxonomists on either side of
> the fence that are familiar with one but seem to have little or no
> experience of the other)
>
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