Lesser Coucal

Lesser Coucal

Scientific Name: Centropus bengalensis

Malay Name: Bubut Kecil Asia

Chinese Name: 小鸦鹃

Range: Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: bengalensis, lignator, javanensis, philippinensis, sarasinorum, medius.

Local Subspecies: javanensis

Size: 38 cm

Identification: Adult resembles Great Coucal but much smaller, duller and has pale streaks on head, neck and upperparts. Juvenile resembles adult but has brownish overall plumage with whitish-buff streaks and blackish bars on wings.

Similar looking species: Greater Coucal

Habitat: Grasslands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequently suns itself on bare branches with wings partly outstretched.

Local Status: Common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Kranji Marsh, Lorong Halus, Punggol Barat and Tampines Eco Green.

Featured articles:

Adult Lesser Coucal at Punggol Barat. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Adult Lesser Coucal at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Lesser Coucal. Photo Credit: Alan Ng
Lesser Coucal at Kranji Marsh. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Lesser Coucal)

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Centropus bengalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22684254A93021566.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Lesser Coucal. Retrieved on December 16, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/lesser-coucal.

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