Centropus cupreicaudus
The Coppery-tailed Coucal (Centropus cupreicaudus) is a captivating, medium-large cuckoo species native to the wetlands and dense thickets of central and southern Africa. Measuring 42-52 cm in length, with a long tail making up nearly half its body, this striking bird is predominantly black with a beautiful glossy purple-blue sheen on its wings. Its most distinctive feature, and the inspiration for its name, is the brilliant coppery-chestnut coloration on its rump and tail, which shimmers in ...
Found in dense, often marshy vegetation near water bodies, including swamps, reedbeds, tall grasslands, riverine thickets, and wet woodlands. Typically occurs from lowlands up to 1,500 meters, preferring areas with abundant cover.
Feeds primarily on large insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, as well as spiders, millipedes, and snails. Also opportunistically preys on small vertebrates including frogs, lizards, snakes, bird eggs, and nestlings.
This coucal is a largely terrestrial and secretive bird, often heard more than seen as it creeps stealthily through dense undergrowth. Primarily diurnal, it forages on the ground, scanning from low perches for prey. It is generally solitary or found in pairs, maintaining territories through disti...
The Coppery-tailed Coucal is a resident species distributed across a significant portion of central and southern sub-Saharan Africa. Its breeding and year-round range extends from southwestern Angola, through the Democratic Republic of Congo, eastward into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Capr...
Least Concern
- Unlike most cuckoos, the Coppery-tailed Coucal is not a brood parasite; it builds its own nest and raises its own young. - Its name comes from the striking coppery-chestnut color on its rump and tail, which is a key identification feature. - Known for its deep, booming calls that resonate acros...