Blue-headed Coucal
Centropus monachus
The Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) is a rare cuckoo found in 20 countries, weighing about 201 g. The blue-headed coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
About the Blue-headed Coucal
The blue-headed coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is native to tropical central Africa where its typical habitat is swamps, river banks, forest edges and generally wet locations. It is a common bird with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The blue-headed coucal is a medium-sized species growing to 45 to 52 cm (18 to 20 in) in length. The sexes are similar, the adult having the head, sides of neck and back black, glossed with blue, the lower back and rump black, the wings predominantly deep chestnut and the tail black, glossed with green or bronze. The underparts are white or pale buff. The eyes are dark red, the beak black and the legs and feet greyish-black.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Blue-headed Coucal can be seen all year round, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-headed Coucal?
- The blue-headed coucal is a medium-sized species growing to 45 to 52 cm (18 to 20 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-headed Coucal?
- The Blue-headed Coucal is a medium sized bird weighing about 201 g.
- Where can you see a Blue-headed Coucal?
- The Blue-headed Coucal occurs in 20 countries, including Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-headed Coucal?
- The Blue-headed Coucal is most easily confused with the Coppery-tailed Coucal, the Malagasy Coucal and the Andaman Coucal.
- Is the Blue-headed Coucal endangered?
- The Blue-headed Coucal is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-headed Coucal for real
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