koelus

Koelus is a genus of birds in the family Muscicapidae, commonly known as the cuckoos. The genus includes several species, with the most well-known being the common koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). Koelus birds are native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and they are known for their distinctive calls and unique breeding behavior.

The common koel is a medium-sized bird with a long tail and a distinctive crest on its head. It has a glossy black plumage with a white throat and belly. The bird is known for its loud, distinctive call, which sounds like a human laugh or a cat's mew. This call is often used to attract mates and to defend territory.

Koelus birds are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The female koel will often mimic the calls of the host bird's eggs to trick the host into incubating her own egg. Once the host bird has laid its own eggs, the female koel will lay her egg on top of them, and the host will incubate all the eggs. The koel chick will then hatch and evict the host's eggs and chicks from the nest, often by pushing them out with its beak or by mimicking the host's alarm calls.

Koelus birds are an important part of the ecosystem in their native habitats, as they help to control the populations of other bird species. However, they are also a threat to some endangered bird species, as they can prey on their eggs and chicks. Conservation efforts are underway to protect koelus birds and their habitats, as well as to manage their impact on other bird species.