Can anyone identify this bird?

[mls]

We rescued this bird from one of our dogs (luckily the one that licks things to death rather than kills them).

It was exhausted and unable to stand, falling backwards onto it's tail until all it's tail feathers broke off and we had to cut them as they were useless (so it originally had a very long tail). We fed the bird and nurtured it - getting vitamins and calcium from the vets to help it's legs strengthen. Eventually it was able to perch on the chair bar so put it into a large bird cage (built especially). After about a week it was feeding itself (had to feed it by hand before) and then a couple of weeks later was so strong, flying etc that it escaped the cage and flew off. Saw it later in one of the nearby trees so think it was probably fine by then.

It was obviously a youngster as it would open it's mouth to feed, but the only bird I can see that it might be is a young female Asian Koel, though it doesn't have the red eyes.

Would be grateful if anyone can identify it properly for me.

Thanks.

[marieb]

Hi mls,

Yes this is a juvenile Asian Koel. Juveniles do not have red eyes. You certainly did a good job IDing it as a female as the main indication of that is the white spotting developing on its throat and breast.

Thanks for the rescue and the great nurturing you were able to provide!

[Torrens54]

There are still some Decent people in the world!

[mls]

Thanks for the feedback Marieb and Torrens 54.

I got a clue for the ID from a picture on an Australian friend's Facebook page of a female Asian Koel and it looked so similar I guessed it could be one. Prior to that had been looking at Wiki birds and not getting very far.

Our specially made bird cage has not gone to waste either. A week or two after the Koel flew off a pigeon flew down and settled on the balcony next to us. It didn't move at all so picked it up. It must have been exhausted as it didn't struggle at all. It didn't want to feed so had to wrap it in a towel and open it's beak to get food down it. No problem swallowing, just didn't want to eat. It couldn't fly, so gave it a box at the bottom of the cage to sleep in and eventually after a couple of weeks it got it's strength back and started perching at the top of the cage. A week or so later it was trying to get out, so we released it.

Very happy to have saved two birds as by the time we find them they are usually too far gone and if the dogs get to them first they don't stand a chance.

We sometimes get birds flying into our balcony windows as they reflect the sky. We take care of the ones that are just stunned until they come round, but sadly some hit too hard and break their necks. Only a couple luckily. Did have one hit recently but when we checked it had flown away. Noticed later that evening a dust mark on the window and looking closer it was the bird's image. Am surprised it survived to fly away as it must have hit pretty hard to leave this impression.