Koel / Cuckoos in my garden

These two males were fighting over something. There was also a female, but had disappeared long before. Still they were arguing about something. I couldn't know over what! These males are melodious singers. Females cannot sing. They are now on my Thevetia peruviana tree - their favourite for eating the fruits. Notice the birds' eyes - they are red. The crow does not have the red. Inside their beaks also is a red colour. Koels have a longer tail compared to the crow. Had to take this shot from the window, without showing much movement. The Koels are very shy birds and the least disturbance will make them fly away.

very cool-Im the only cockoo in my garden ;)

they do look like crows with red eyes....are they as annoying...

They are not annoying. They are usually silent. Probably this is the mating season. You know what they do? They are lazy birds and they don't hatch their own eggs! They lay their eggs in the crow's nest when everybody there is away. The crow thinks it is her own and sincerely hatch them. Even feed the young ones till they are big enough to fly! That's nature.

Actually the crow is a scavenger and useful to the environment here. It picks up insects and other things for food. It's annoying only when they make a noise.

Oooooh, those are scary looking birds! They'd be perfect for Halloween, yikes!

~Kris

You got scared by these koels, eh? They are very shy birds, Kris, and they pose no danger at all! They don't even fly near to peck us, but they fly and hide behind branches on sight on humans. That shot above was through the window and I remained unseen by them.

Cuckoos do that egg thing every where they live. Sneaky, lazy birds.
You are getting to be a good wildlife photographer in your own yard Dinu, good for you.

Another shot of the koel this morning on a tree - using my zoom. Look at that, it is sitting to show its back to me and turning its head to 'look back over its shoulder'! There are some little sun birds that visit regularly - they are very busy flyers, restless. They have been testing my patience. Not successful yet.

What fun, Dinu, he looks like he has his head on backwards.

Haha .. yes.

It's good to know that the koels aren't mean, but they still are kinda scary, with their red eyes! I know what you mean about fast birds trying your patience, Dinu. I've been trying to get photos of swallows for weeks and it's almost impossible!

~Kris

Kris,
As I said this morning about patience ..... "patience pays"!! I got the koel's better shot and also the little bird in the evening - their songs are so pleasing to the ear. I'll post the little bird's pic in another thread and you can see the koel's open beak with red inside, as if it has chewed "pan" [know what?]. Picture cropped and hence a poor output. Please bear with it. I got another bird as well and it has come off so well.

Dinu

Wow, that's cool, Dinu, thanks for posting it. I'll look for the other post, too.

~Kris

Okay Kris. Just done.