Koel | |
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File:Asian koel.jpg | |
Male Asian Koel | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Cuculiformes |
Family: | Cuculidae |
Genus: | Eudynamys Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 |
species | |
Eudynamys melanorhynchus |
Template:Americana Poster 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]
- Long-tailed Koel, Eudynamys taitensis
- Henderson Island Koel, Eudynamis cf. taitensis - prehistoric
References[]
male Australian Koel
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This article is part of Project Bird Genera, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each genus, including made-up genera. |
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