Philippine Coucal
Centropus viridis
A large, long-tailed bird of open or disturbed areas from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains. Entirely black except for rufous wings. A black-winged race from Mindoro occurs, as does an uncommon white form on Luzon. Forages for insects and other animal prey, on or close to the ground. Similar to Black-hooded Coucal, but has a black rather than brown belly and is found in more open habitats. Much larger than Lesser Coucal. Voice includes a slightly descending series of repeated “wok!” notes and a short, explosive “jek-wok-wok!”
Identification
The Philippine coucal (Centropus viridis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is an insectivore.
Taxonomy
Genus: Centropus; Family: Cuculidae; Order: Cuculiformes.
- Scientific name
- Centropus viridis
- Authority
- (Scopoli, 1786)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Centropus
Range and habitat
Medium, sexes similar; races differ in color carpenteri and mindorensis are all black while viridis and majer are black with chestnut wings, and in size carpenteri and majer are larger than viridis and mindorensis. in viridis Ad whole body and tail black, glossed with green; wings dark chestnut on inner secondaries becoming chestnut in outer secondaries and primaries, all tipped with dark brown; underwing coverts black glassed with green. imm head dark brown with faint light shaft streaks; tail black glossed with green with chestnut bars at tip; wings chestnut barred with dark brown; underparts blackish brown mottled or barred with buff. ad bill and legs black; eye blood red. imm bill, upper mandible black, lower mottled grey black; eye brown; legs grey.<p>Male: L 420 (16,1/2"); W 162; T 233; B 29; t 38.<p>female: L 444 (17,1/2"); W 171; T 259; B 36; t 42.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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