Eudynamys melanorhynchus
The Black-billed Koel (Eudynamys melanorhynchus) is a striking member of the cuckoo family, distinguished by its uniformly glossy, purplish-black plumage, vivid crimson-red eyes, and a robust, entirely black bill. Measuring approximately 36-44 cm in length with a long tail, its sleek appearance makes it a captivating sight within its tropical habitat. A key identification feature, and a unique characteristic within its genus, is the absence of sexual dimorphism in plumage; both males and fema...
Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, secondary growth, and occasionally wooded gardens or plantations, primarily at elevations up to 1,000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of native and cultivated fruits, supplemented with large insects, caterpillars, small lizards, and eggs of host birds, primarily gleaned from the tree canopy.
The Black-billed Koel is a highly arboreal and diurnal species, spending most of its time foraging high in the tree canopy. As an obligate brood parasite, it exhibits no nest-building behavior or parental care, instead laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species, primarily corvids like the...
The Black-billed Koel is endemic to the island of Sulawesi and its satellite islands (e.g., Buton, Peleng, Sangihe, Talaud) in Indonesia. It is a resident species, with no known migratory movements, found throughout the primary and secondary lowland forests, cultivated areas, and coastal woodland...
Least Concern
- Unlike most other koel species, both male and female Black-billed Koels share the exact same glossy black plumage and crimson eyes. - This species is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and its satellite islands, making it a true regional specialist. - Its eggs are known to sometimes m...