Wattlebird and koel...

[khiemtran]

As you may recall, last year we discovered a red wattlebird nest next to our driveway, and watched as the wattlebird parents raised a suspiciously large chick, which turned out to be a koel. This year, they sensible chose a less exposed nesting site, so it was only yesterday that we happened to spot their latest chick. Which is also a koel.



We were basically just sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze after a hot day, when we saw a bird fly past into a tree behind our neighbours' house. There were lots of birds flying about, so that wasn't unusual, but this one was making a odd peeping nose as though it was begging for food. It took a while to spot it in the foliage, but it was clearly a koel.



It basically just sat there and called again and again for food - and we soon saw its dutiful parents flying up to keep it satisfied.



Here you can see one of the wattlebirds feeding it. The koel looked around twice the size of its foster parent (who was (understandably) looking rather haggard and gaunt for a wattlebird).



Despite their efforts, their magnificent baby was still hungry...



After several feedings, the koel abruptly took off and left its parents flying around, as though wondering where their enormous child had vanished to this time.

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Poor wattlebirds. And fortunate koel that they are so willing to raise it.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's starting to look like wattlebirds aren't the smartest birds in the bush...

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

How interesting that your version of the cuckoo will venture so near to houses. I've only ever seen a cuckoo once, and that was just a fleeting glimpse, but I hear them every year in the woods and hills.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Koels are far more often seen than heard, but we hear them all the time over summer. (They have a distinctive "ko-el" call that really travels.)

The females and chicks are very good at hiding. Even though they're quite large birds, you hardly ever see them because they're usually hidden in the foliage.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Poor wattlebirds. I wish they'd get a chance to raise their own eggs, too.

If this were a fairytale, there's a possibility the koel would come to the rescue of its foster parents in their time of need...

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

That would make a great story!