Coracina larvata
The Sunda Cuckooshrike (*Coracina larvata*) is a striking passerine endemic to the Greater Sunda Islands, known for its sleek, dark plumage and distinctive facial markings. Males are predominantly dark slate-grey, with a contrasting black face mask extending from the bill to the ear coverts, a feature that lends them their specific epithet 'larvata' (masked). They typically measure around 20-22 cm in length and weigh approximately 35-45 grams. Females exhibit a duller grey coloration overall,...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, favoring the forest interior and edges, often in hill and lower montane zones between 800 and 2,000 meters elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, particularly beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, supplemented by small amounts of fruit and berries. They primarily forage by gleaning insects from leaves and branches or by sallying flights to catch airborne prey.
Sunda Cuckooshrikes are diurnal and typically observed singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks, particularly outside the breeding season. They are arboreal foragers, systematically gleaning insects from the canopy and mid-story foliage, often making short sallying f...
The Sunda Cuckooshrike is resident across the Greater Sunda Islands in Southeast Asia. Its core breeding range encompasses Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the mountainous regions of Borneo. On Sumatra, it is found primarily in the central and southern highlands, while on Java and Bali, it is widespread ...
Least Concern
- The name 'larvata' comes from Latin, meaning 'masked,' a direct reference to the prominent black facial mask of the male. - Despite their common name, cuckooshrikes are not closely related to true cuckoos; the 'cuckoo' part of their name refers to their somewhat similar grey plumage or undulati...