Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a common cuckoo found in 21 countries, weighing about 281 g. The greater coucal or crow pheasant, is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes.
About the Greater Coucal
The greater coucal or crow pheasant, is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species. They are large, crow-like with a long tail and coppery brown wings and found in a wide range of habitats from jungle to cultivation and urban gardens. They are weak fliers, and are often seen clambering about in vegetation or walking on the ground as they forage for insects, eggs and nestlings of other birds. They have a familiar deep resonant call which is associated with omens in many parts of its range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a large species of cuckoo at 48 cm. The head is black, upper mantle and underside are black glossed with purple. The back and wings are chestnut brown. There are no pale shaft streaks on the coverts. The eyes are ruby red. Juveniles are duller black with spots on the crown and there are whitish bars on the underside and tail. There are several geographic races and some of these populations are sometimes treated as full species. Earlier treatments included the brown coucal (C. (s.) andamanensis) under this name.
What the Greater Coucal sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Türkiye.
When to see it
The Greater Coucal can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Greater Coucal?
- This is a large species of cuckoo at 48 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Greater Coucal?
- The Greater Coucal is a medium sized bird weighing about 281 g.
- Where can you see a Greater Coucal?
- The Greater Coucal occurs in 21 countries, including India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR China.
- What does a Greater Coucal sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Greater Coucal on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Greater Coucal?
- The Greater Coucal is most easily confused with the White-browed Coucal, the Pheasant Coucal and the Lesser Coucal.
- Is the Greater Coucal endangered?
- The Greater Coucal is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Greater 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.
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