Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Willie doesn't give fig for Koel comfort


Too handsome to deserve being called common, male Asian (formerly Common) Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) hunches attractively in Tyto today as it takes a break from feeding Sandpaper Figs to female. 




First time I've caught up with two Koels in noisy partnership and in tree low enough to encourage long waits trying to get clear pictures (with limited luck). The dense foliage of the young fig tree was no help.



Nor was the Willie Wagtail throwing itself on the female Koel's back to drive the bird away from its territory. Only the female Koel drew the angry chattering and physical attention. Koels parasitise larger birds, but Willies don't care for cuckoos. 

5 comments:

mick said...

A really great set of photos. I hear the Koels all the time but seldom see them clearly up in the trees - let alone photograph them! I love the pic of the Willie harassing the Koel.

Mosura said...

Great pics! That last one's a funny shot. The Koel looks like it's refusing to budge but wagtail looks just as determined to give it the shove.

Tyto Tony said...

Hi guys: female Koel was indeed not in mood to shift. Took more than a few 'attacks' before Willie won the day.

Sebastian said...

Tis the season for angry nesting Willie Wagtails. I can still hear loud clicking in my ears from this afternoon!

Absolutely fantastic shots -- seriously good effort. Now just hope they don't take up residence outside your bedroom window.

Tyto Tony said...

Hi sebastian: No fear of that. Just deafening night chirpiness in the breeze block amenity areas.

Head up for dragonfly, head off for fish head . . .

One moment it's dragonfly trying to dance on White-bellied Sea-Eagle's head, the next it's all go for fisher's discarded fis...