"Uwu. Uwu. Uwu. Uwu. Uwu."
If you reside in Southeast Asia, there's a huge possibility you've probably heard the call of the Asian Koel in the wee hours of the morning (or night).
In case you need a refresher, here's that "annoying sound" (or charming, depending on who you ask) the bird makes.
Sounds familiar? These birds, though annoying for Singaporeans, have actually served as inspiration for poets specifically in India and Nepal.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Asian Koel that we’re gonna attempt to answer.
1. How to pronounce "Koel"?
In the English language, you pronounce the name of the bird as "kohl". As in cold with the "d" being silent.
2. Is the Asian Koel related to the cuckoo?
Being a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, the Asian Koel is somewhat related to cuckoos but shouldn't be confused as one.
3. Where to find the Asian Koel?
The bird has habitats in the Indian subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia.
4. What's the difference between the male and female Asian Koel?
While the male sports glossy bluish-black feathers with a pale greenish-grey bill, legs, and feet, the female on the other hand comes with a brownish crown and reddish-brown streaks on its head.
5. When does the Asian Koel sing?
The birds are extremely loud between March to August since it's the breeding season.
While males often repeat “Koo-Ooo” (or “uwu” several times), the females on the other hand makes the shrill “Kik-kik-kik” sound.
6. What does the Asian Koel eat?
The Asian Koel is omnivorous, meaning they’ve got a staple diet of fruits, insects, caterpillars, eggs, and sometimes tiny vertebrates.
If you’ve got fruit trees, you’ll need to be mindful because a flock of Asian Koels can immediately consume any fruits growing on them.
That said, they're super important because many of the seeds are usually regurgitated, allowing these fruit trees to flourish.
7. Where does the Asian Koel lay its eggs?
The Asian Koel typically lays one to seven eggs in the nest of other birds (often crows).
That's right. Being a brood parasite, the Asian Koel is notorious for cleverly inserting its eggs after it removes the host's eggs.
The Asian Koel chicks usually hatch three days ahead of the host chicks. Once a chick hatches, it doesn’t always push out the host’s eggs or chicks. In fact, it even pretends to be a crow by imitating its call.
This often confuses the host bird into thinking the Asian Koel chick is one of its own. That said, at times the female Asian Koel is known to feed its chick as well.
The Asian Koel is an important member of planet Earth's ecosystem. This unique bird with its mellifluous call has inspired countless poets in Asia.
Uddanda Sastri, India's 15th century poet probably wouldn't have penned the Kokila Sandesa (The Message of the Koel) if the bird didn't exist.
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