Lesser Coucal

Centropus bengalensis

Family: Cuckoos · Status: Common resident · Size: 38 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

A resident of the Indian subcontinent and southern China to Southeast Asia.

Identification

Adult has black head and underparts with pale rufous-brown wings, pale streaking on upperparts, head, and breast. Juvenile barred black and buffish-brown, rufous-brown streaks on head with pale to light-brown underparts and white streaking throughout. Much smaller than Greater Coucal, with pale streaks on the body, pale brown wings, and dark iris.

Habitat

Open habitats including tall grassland, reedbeds, swamps, marshes, and forest edges, generally prefers more open habitats compared to Greater Coucal.

Behaviour

Frequently suns itself on bare branches with wings partly outstretched; forages mostly on the ground.