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SPECIES PROFILE
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
Centropus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Thickets scrub forests urban gardens
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Cuculiformes
FAMILY
Cuculidae
GENUS
Centropus
📋 Description
SIZE
48-52 cm long 200-300 g
COLORATION
Glossy black with chestnut wings red eyes long tail
ADAPTATIONS
Strong legs for ground foraging secretive in dense vegetation
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Thickets scrub forests urban gardens
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-5 eggs in dome nests incubated 15-18 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects small vertebrates fruits eggs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat fragmentation predation
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Deep Callers: Greater Coucals skulk with 250-gram bodies eating 50 grams of insects daily in Kerala's thickets. Their red eyes glow in shade.
2
Nest Builders: These coucals cover 4000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's scrub nesting in dense bushes. Urban sprawl threatens their cover.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Guindy National Park in Chennai Tamil Nadu
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Dense vegetation ensures audibility for spotting coucals
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Listen for greater coucals' booming calls in thick undergrowth
