Just as cricket on the radio is the sound of Summer, the incessant call of the Pacific Koel reverberating through the suburbs must surely be the sound of Spring.

Right about now, many South Coast residents' days and nights are punctuated by the persistent, monotonous, call of the male Pacific Koel, who also goes under the name of Eastern Koel and Australian Koel.

Local bird authority and author Terrill Nordstrom says he has known people to hurl shoes into treetops in an effort to silence the bird.

But the Pacific Koel, a member of the Cuckoo family, is not put off that easily.

Regardless of the time of day or night, the call is relentless, as the male koel seeks to advertise his territory and attract a mate.

But once a female is lured in by this dramatic call and the union is consumma

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