Southern Coucal

Previously considered as a subspecies of Greater coucal. It has a black head and the underparts glossed blue and has the forehead, face and throat more brownish. The sexes are similar in plumage but females are slightly larger

Scientific Name : Centropus Parroti

Family : Cuculidae

Order : Cuculiformes

Class : Aves

Type : Cuckoos

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 45 - 50 cm

Compare Size : House crow +

Wingspan : NA

Weight : 225 - 400 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : NA

Other Names :

Hindi : भारद्वाज

Marathi : भारद्वाज

Habitat:
grassland and second growth, at forest edges, near-human habitation. It is also found in mangroves, scrubs, marshes, reed beds.

Breeding:
NA

Feeding:
wide range of insects, caterpillars, and small vertebrates such as the Saw-scaled vipers. They are also known to eat bird eggs, nestlings, fruits, and seeds.


Identification Features

Male & Female
Head black but brownish forehead and face
Neck black but brownish throat
Mantle black
Back chestnut-brown
Wing chestnut-brown
Iris red
Underparts black glossed with blue
Tail broad; black
Forehead brownish
Throat brownish
Note :
females are slightly larger

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2018-12-02 02 Dec 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-12-30 30 Dec 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2019-01-12 12 Jan 2019 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2019-03-02 02 Mar 2019 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2022-02-25 25 Feb 2022 Neral - Matheran Road, Raigad, Maharashtra

Similar Birds

(Cuckoos)