Young blue male Koel soon to be black as coal

Got along to the Common an hour before gate opening this morning to search for immature male
Eastern Koel (Eudynamys orientalis) seen as blue beauty in full sunlight yesterday.

Heard and then sighted bird in trees near the automatic 6.30-6.30 gate (hoon guard). Views not up to yesterday's vivid colouring.

But 'pushing' the blues a bit in processing so-so flight picture hints at the spectacle the young males briefly offer. After maturing the birds look mostly black, unless seen in right light. Amazing what colours 'black' can hold.

Up the road after the gate opened met Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata) terrorising phasmids (not a bit interested in the cicadas everywhere).

Fly. Perch. Scan. Fly. Pounce. Fly. Shred. Shred. Swallow. All gone. Repeat. Repeat. Busy Baza.