FaunaHub

Coucal (Centropus spp.)

BirdCuckooOld World

Greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), a large black cuckoo-relative with chestnut wings and red eyes.

Greater coucal (Centropus sinensis).

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Coucals (genus Centropus) are large, heavy-bodied members of the cuckoo order, found across Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. Many are dark birds with rich chestnut wings and striking red eyes, and they spend much of their time clambering through dense vegetation or walking on the ground rather than flying.

Unlike the many cuckoos famous for laying their eggs in other birds' nests, coucals are not brood parasites. They build their own bulky, domed nests and raise their own young — a key point that sets them apart from the cuckoo stereotype.

Note: there are many coucal species; details here describe the group broadly, with familiar examples such as the greater and Senegal coucals.

Habitat & Range

Coucals favour dense, low cover — rank grassland, reedbeds, scrub, thickets, marsh edges, and the undergrowth of woodland and gardens. This thick vegetation suits their skulking, ground-loving habits, and many species are tied to damp or waterside areas.

Diet

Coucals are mainly carnivorous, hunting large insects (such as grasshoppers and caterpillars) and small vertebrates including frogs, lizards, snakes, rodents, and the eggs and nestlings of other birds. They forage by clambering and walking through cover, seizing prey with a stout bill.

Behavior

Coucals are usually seen singly or in pairs, moving heavily through vegetation and often sunning themselves with spread wings in the early morning. Their long, straight hind claw — reflected in the name Centropus (“spur foot”) — helps them grip as they clamber. The voice is a deep, resonant series of hooting “whoop” notes. In a number of coucal species the usual roles are reversed, with the male doing much of the incubating and chick-rearing.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Coucals are widespread and many species are common, often living close to people in farmland, gardens, and overgrown ground. Most are not considered threatened, though some island species are of conservation concern. Consult the IUCN Red List for the status of a particular coucal.

More photos of the coucal

A Senegal coucal showing its dark cap and rufous wings.

Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis).

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Coucal

Is a coucal a cuckoo?
Yes — coucals belong to the cuckoo order (Cuculiformes), in the genus Centropus. But they are atypical cuckoos: large, ground-loving, and not brood parasites.
Do coucals lay their eggs in other birds' nests?
No. Unlike the well-known parasitic cuckoos, coucals build their own bulky, often domed nests and raise their own chicks. This is one of the main ways they differ from the classic cuckoo image.
What does a coucal eat?
Coucals are largely carnivorous, taking big insects and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, snakes, and rodents, as well as eggs and nestlings. They hunt by clambering and walking through dense cover.
Why is its call so deep?
Coucals give a low, resonant series of hooting 'whoop' notes that carries through thick vegetation. The deep, far-reaching call helps these skulking birds keep in contact within dense habitat where they are hard to see.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.