About the Malagasy Coucal
The Malagasy coucal or Madagascar coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in Madagascar and in the Seychelles, where it occurs on Aldabra and was formerly present on Assumption Island and Cosmoledo. Its natural habitats are dense vegetation in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, rough grassland, marshes and reedbeds.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Malagasy coucal is a medium-sized bird with the adult length being in the range 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in). The male is smaller than the female, weighing about 140 g (5 oz) to the female's 190 g (7 oz), but otherwise the sexes are similar in appearance. In breeding plumage the bird is black, glossed with green, except for the tips of its wings which are brown and its mid and lower back which are reddish brown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Blue-headed CoucalCentropus monachusThe blue-headed coucal is a medium-sized species growing to 45 to 52 cm (18 to 20 in) in length.
Coppery-tailed CoucalCentropus cupreicaudusAn adult coppery-tailed coucal is about 48 cm (19 in) long and has a curved beak and long, broad tail.
Andaman CoucalCentropus andamanensisIt is a large coucal, with males being around 380–400 mm (12.6-15.7 inches) and females somewhat larger at 400–420 mm (15.7-16.5 inches) in length.
Learn the Malagasy Coucal for real
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