Koel

Koel
Male Asian koel
Female Asian koel
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Cuculiformes
Family:	Cuculidae
Genus:	Eudynamys Vigors & Horsfield, 1827
species
Eudynamys melanorhynchus Eudynamys scolopaceus Eudynamys orientalis

The true koels, Eudynamys, are a genus of cuckoos from Asia, Australia and the Pacific. They are large sexually dimorphic cuckoos which eat fruits and insects and have loud distinctive calls. They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species.

In New Zealand the long-tailed koel is known as the long-tailed cuckoo. Two other species, the white-crowned koel and the dwarf koel, are also known as koels but are in their own monotypic genera.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the common koel complex is difficult and remains a matter of dispute, with some only recognizing a single species (common koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus, with melanorhynchus and orientalis as subspecies), two species (common koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus, with orientalis as a subspecies, and black-billed koel, Eudynamys melanorhynchus) or three species (as done below).

• Genus Eudynamys – true koels
  • Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus^[1]
  • Black-billed koel, Eudynamys melanorhynchus^[1]
  • Pacific koel, Eudynamys orientalis
    • Australian koel, Eudynamys (orientalis) cyanocephalus^[1]
  • Henderson Island koel, Eudynamis cf. taitensis – prehistoric

References

1. David, N., & Gosselin, M. (2002). The grammatical gender of avian genera. Bull B.O.C. 122: 257-282.