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Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)

Asian Koels in Singapore

About Asian koels in Singapore and what to do when you encounter them

Last updated 30 October 2025
A photograph of a male Asian koel on a palm tree amongst palm fruits

What are Asian koels? 

The Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a large cuckoo bird. It is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, which will provide parental care until the young Koel is ready to fly. In Singapore, Asian koels lay their eggs predominantly in the nests of House Crows (Corvus splendens). 

The Asian koel is a protected species under the Wildlife Act. 

What do Asian koels look like?

A photograph of a male Asian koel on a branch

Male Asian koels have glossy blue-black plumage, crimson irises, long tail, pale green beak, and grey legs and feet.

A photograph of a female Asian koel on a branch

Female Asian koels have dark brown upperparts and light brown underparts; the body is heavily spotted and streaked in white and rufous.

Distribution & Habitat 

Asian koels are found in China, South Asia and Southeast Asia. In Singapore, it can be found in secondary forests, parks, and low-density urban areas, feeding mainly on fruits and berries. 

Important Ecological Role(s) 

Asian koels help keep crows’ population in check. As a brood parasite, the Asian koel lays its eggs in the unattended nest of a House Crow, sometimes removing one of the host’s eggs in the process. The koel chick hatches first and may force the host’s eggs or chicks out of the nest. Therefore, koel brood parasitism reduces the crow’s reproduction success and maintains the crow population. 

A photograph of a bird nest containing koel and crow eggs. Text reads: Koel eggs are slightly smaller.

Behaviour 

The Asian koel is more often heard than seen, especially during its breeding season (roughly every 3 months throughout the year, following the house crow’s breeding cycle). The koel makes a variety of calls, including the distinctively loud, repetitive, high- pitched ‘ku-oo’ mating calls from dawn, and can sometimes be heard till night. 

While there are Singaporeans who have been inconvenienced by calls of the Asian koel, there are also others who enjoy the presence of such wildlife in our environment.  We seek your understanding regarding the management of the Asian koel population. 

If you have any queries, you can contact us through our online feedback form at https://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback. Alternatively, you may reach out to your condominium management for assistance. 

Photos by Francis Yap, Bryan Lim and Yong Sheng Lui

References: 

  1. Keng, Wang & Hails, Chris. (2007). An Annotated checklist of the birds of Singapore. The Raffles bulletin of zoology. Supplement 15. 1-179.  

  2. Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Asian Koel. Retrieved on August 4, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/asian-koel.