Centropus steerii
The Black-hooded Coucal (Centropus steerii) is a striking member of the cuckoo family (Cuculidae), distinguished by its entirely black head, neck, and upper breast, forming a prominent "hood." This medium-sized terrestrial bird typically measures around 40-42 cm (16-17 inches) in length, with a robust body, strong legs, and a long, graduated black tail. Its back and wings are a rich rufous or chestnut, contrasting sharply with the black hood, and it features distinctive bright red eyes and a ...
Found exclusively in the lowland forests and dense secondary growth of Mindoro Island, Philippines, typically at elevations from sea level up to around 800 meters. It prefers areas with thick undergrowth where it can remain hidden.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of large insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, supplemented with small reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally small mammals or snails. It forages by gleaning from vegetation and probing the forest floor.
The Black-hooded Coucal is primarily a diurnal and highly secretive bird, often observed skulking through dense undergrowth at or near ground level. It forages by stealthily walking through vegetation, probing the leaf litter and low branches for prey. While it can fly, it prefers to move through...
The Black-hooded Coucal is strictly endemic to Mindoro Island, one of the larger islands in the Philippines archipelago. Its distribution is restricted to the remaining fragments of lowland forest and dense secondary growth across the island, particularly in areas with substantial understory vege...
Vulnerable
- The Black-hooded Coucal is endemic to a single island, Mindoro, making it a highly localized and unique species. - Unlike most cuckoos, which are known for laying their eggs in other birds' nests, this coucal builds its own nest and raises its young, exemplifying a non-parasitic lifestyle. - It...