Long-tailed Koel
Urodynamis taitensis
- Family
- Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
Overview
The long-tailed koel (Urodynamis taitensis), also known as the long-tailed cuckoo, Pacific long-tailed cuckoo, sparrow hawk, home owl, screecher, screamer or koekoeā in Māori, is a species of the Cuculidae bird family (the cuckoos). It is the only species placed in the genus Urodynamis. It is a migratory bird that spends spring and summer in New Zealand, its only breeding place, and spends winter in the Pacific islands. It is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species and leaving them to raise its chicks.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds North, South, and Stewart islands and satellite islands (New Zealand); migrates to central and southern tropical Pacific, from Palau (western Caroline Islands) to Pitcairn group (southeastern Polynesia).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Long-tailed koel
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
