Featherfri(satur)day
Again, a few minutes late... but it's the intention that counts, right? Anynway, here goes my contribution to this great idea by @keithboone.
Today, a cute couple, spotted for the first time in Tangalle region, Sri lanka. Asian koels (Eudynamys scolopaceus) are cuckoos, exhibiting the typical behaviour of this order of birds: they take advantage of other bird's nest, and place their egg there, leaving to the other birds the task of raising their offspring. (How sneaky are these guys??) The are fairly big birds, and don't go unnoticed if they are near you.
Although in some species both sexes are alike, in this case there is marked sexual dimorphism. Males are black (bluish-black), with long tails, and a red-eye that is easily noticeable.
Females are similar in size and shape, but they have a brown plummage, with pale spots.
As you can see, it's very easy to recognize the couple! Happy birding!
Photos taken with Canon SX50 HS
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Great shots! Although we have cucoos here they are a little bit further north and don't live in the low land wooded areas where I am at. I don't know that I've actually ever seen one! Cowbirds are the opportunistic birds that live in my area. Laying eggs in someone else's nest and leaving them to do the work!
Always learning, didn't knew cowbirds did that too!
They do. It evolved because they followed the Buffalo herds and ate the insects the herd stirred up. They didn't have time for nest building and raising a family!
Really nice pics you got there, @pardinus! Did you take them yourself?
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Thank you! All the photos I post are my own! Birdwatching and wildlife photography are some of my hobbies ;)
What beautiful birds these are @pardinus Wonderful shots. It's great that you were able to capture both the male and female and yes, there are quite distinct differences between them.
I was really lucky, had already spotted the male on the day before, the female appeared only on my last day there!
Yes.....it was a very rewarding time for you......and us. 😄
😁😁
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Wonderful photos showing the male and female. I love the markings on the female.
Normally with birds the males are prettier... but I like the female better here too!
Excellent post with great information and photos! Well done! Thank you for posting in #featheredfriday. By my clock, you have several hours to go... but it does not matter in any case. Never worry about that, there are no strict rules :) How interesting that these birds lay their eggs in the nest of another bird!
Upvoted and resteemed, thank you!
Thank you!
Yes, and I don't know if it's the case in this species, but at least in case of the cuckoo that comes to Portugal, when little cuckoo is born he trashes all the other eggs, so he stays as only child getting all the food!
Wow... nature is crazy and often cruel. Isn't it interesting that the chick is hatched and immediately knows how to out-compete any potential rivals? Do the parent birds not notice something odd about the chick?
Don't think the parents notice, because they continue to feed it until he's old enough to thrive. Nature has some crazy stuff! :)
Thank you guys!
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The female birdie is more pretty! :D
Agreed!
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