koel

A koel sings from a high tree branch at dawn.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of cuckoo bird: "koel" refers to any of several Old World cuckoos of the genus Eudynamys, especially the Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus), known for its loud, distinctive call and its habit of laying eggs in the nests of other birds (brood parasitism).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The koel's call is often heard during the early morning in tropical forests. (The bird's distinctive vocalization is a common sound.)
  • Farmers consider the koel a sign of the monsoon season. (The bird's appearance is associated with seasonal changes.)
  • The koel lays its eggs in the nests of crows, which then raise the koel chicks. (The bird's reproductive strategy involves parasitizing other bird species.)

Advanced Usage

• "koel" as a cultural symbol: In some South Asian cultures, the koel is associated with romance and the arrival of spring.
  • In poetry, the koel's song is often used to symbolize longing and love. (The bird's call is a metaphor in literature.)

Variants and Related Words

• Koel (noun): The term is typically used as a singular noun; the plural form is "koels."
  • We spotted several koels in the mango tree. (Multiple birds of this species were observed.)

Synonyms

• Cuckoo: a broader term for birds in the family Cuculidae, many of which share the koel's parasitic behavior.
  • The koel is a type of cuckoo found in Asia. (The koel belongs to the cuckoo family.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None: The word "koel" does not commonly form phrasal verbs.

Related Idioms

• None: There are no widely recognized idioms involving the word "koel."