Centropus leucogaster
The Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) is a striking and distinctive member of the cuckoo family, renowned for its non-parasitic breeding strategy. This large bird measures approximately 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) in length and weighs between 200-300 grams, with females typically being marginally larger than males. Its plumage is characterized by a glossy black head, throat, upper breast, back, and tail, contrasting sharply with a pristine white lower breast and belly. Rich rufous che...
Inhabits dense primary and secondary lowland rainforests, forest edges, tangled thickets, and riparian vegetation, typically from sea level up to 1400 meters, occasionally higher.
An opportunistic omnivore, primarily feeding on large insects such as grasshoppers, mantids, beetles, and caterpillars, but also consuming spiders, millipedes, snails, small reptiles (lizards, snakes), amphibians (frogs), bird eggs, nestlings, and occasionally small rodents.
Primarily a diurnal bird, the Black-throated Coucal is often skulking and secretive, preferring the dense cover of undergrowth to move about. It is largely terrestrial, moving with a characteristic crouching gait as it forages, using its strong bill and feet to turn over leaves and debris to expo...
The Black-throated Coucal is a resident species found throughout West and Central Africa. Its extensive range spans from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastward through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. It then continues into Central Africa, encompassing Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, ...
Least Concern
- Unlike most cuckoos, the Black-throated Coucal is non-parasitic, building its own nest and raising its own young, a notable evolutionary trait. - Its distinctive booming calls are often described as sounding like water pouring from a bottle or a series of deep hoots, inspiring local names. - De...