Black-hooded Coucal
Centropus steerii
A large, long-tailed bird of lowland primary forest on Mindoro with a brown back and belly, dark wings with brown-edged feathers, a dark tail with a bluish iridescence, and a black hood with some light streaking on the back of the neck. Note the strong curved bill. Similar to Philippine Coucal, but has a brown rather than black belly and is restricted to primary forest rather than more open habitats. Song is a descending series of very deep hoots.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A large, long-tailed bird of lowland primary forest on Mindoro with a brown back and belly, dark wings with brown-edged feathers, a dark tail with a bluish iridescence, and a black hood with some light streaking on the back of the neck. Note the strong curved bill. Similar to Philippine coucal, but has a brown rather than black belly and is restricted to primary forest rather than more open habitats. Song is a descending series of very deep hoots."
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Centropus steerii
- Authority
- Bourns & Worcester, 1894
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Centropus
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss with Mindoro having a great loss of forest in recent decades. By 1988, extensive deforestation on Mindoro had reduced forest cover to a mere 120 km2 (46 sq mi), of which only a small proportion is below this species's upper altitudinal limit. The lowland forest that does remain is highly fragmented and it is believed that at the current rate of deforestation all forest may disappear by 2020–2030. Slash-and-burn cultivation, occasional selective logging and rattan collection threaten the forest fragments that still support the species. Dynamite blasting for marble is an additional threat to forest at Puerto Galera. The species's genetic viability may be at risk given the small size and fragmented nature of remaining populations. As a consequence, it is now classified as critically endangered by the IUCN with an estimated population of just 50 - 249 mature individuals.<p>In order to combat extinction, local education programs have been initiated, surveys have been executed, and ecotourism has been promoted in order to encourage locals to take to more sustainable occupations. The Zoological Society of London has described the bird as an EDGE species, listed as the top 21 distinct-endangered bird species in the world. Conservation actions proposed by the IUCN include more surveys to better understand population, to better protect the remaining lowland forests and to raise awareness on this species.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-breasted Bunting
Passerina leclancherii
Beautiful small bunting of lowlands and foothills; endemic to west Mexico. Occurs in brushy woodland and edge, adjacent weedy fields, and open grassy areas. Often in small groups, feeding on roadside grasses and flushing up with brilliant blue flashes. Also feeds at all levels in fruiting trees and bushes. Male unmistakable: electric turquoise blue and green above; rich yellow below with a burnished orange breast. Female duller overall: greenish above and yellow below, with a bluish tail. Female brighter yellowish below than slightly larger female Painted Bunting.
Chestnut-breasted Whiteface
Aphelocephala pectoralis
Small bird with stubby bill, found in open shrubland in stony country of arid northeastern South Australia. Warm brown above, white below, with broad rusty-brown chest band, reddish-brown marks on the flanks, pale eye, grayish throat, and white mark above bill. Forages on the ground in small flocks. Call is a steady warbling twitter.
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Large, lanky blackbird with rounded crown and long tail. Males have ridiculously long tails, almost as long as their body, often held in a V-shape like the keel of boat. Males are glossy black. Females are brown, with subtle face pattern. Eye color ranges from brown along western Gulf Coast to yellow on Atlantic Coast. Strictly coastal, except in Florida where they occur inland (often around human development). Overlaps with similar Great-tailed Grackle on Texas coast, but occurs more strictly in coastal saltmarshes and has dark eye (not pale).
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.