Black-throated Coucal
Centropus leucogaster
The Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) is a rare cuckoo found in 14 countries, weighing about 308 g. The black-throated coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
About the Black-throated Coucal
The black-throated coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in West Africa in dense second growth along forest edge and grassy swamps. The subspecies found in northern and central Zaire is sometimes split as Neumann's coucal.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-throated coucal is the largest species in the genus Centropus, growing to 46 to 58 cm (18 to 23 in) in length. The sexes are similar, the adult having the head, neck, upper breast and mantle black, glossed with violet-blue, the wings rufous-chestnut, the back black barred with white and the tail black, the tail feathers having paler bases. The lower breast and belly are white, the thighs, flanks and undertail-coverts having a rufous tinge. The juvenile has somewhat similar plumage to the adult, but is barred and streaked with buff, and lacks the gloss on the head.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Congo - Kinshasa.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-throated Coucal?
- The black-throated coucal is the largest species in the genus Centropus, growing to 46 to 58 cm (18 to 23 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-throated Coucal?
- The Black-throated Coucal is a large sized bird weighing about 308 g.
- Where can you see a Black-throated Coucal?
- The Black-throated Coucal occurs in 14 countries, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.
- What birds look similar to a Black-throated Coucal?
- The Black-throated Coucal is most easily confused with the Black-faced Coucal, the Green-billed Coucal and the Bay Coucal.
- Is the Black-throated Coucal endangered?
- The Black-throated Coucal is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-throated Coucal for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.