Greater Coucal

Latin Name: 
Centropus sinensis
Category: 
Size: 
50cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. Glossy bluish-black plumage; chestnut wings; blackish, loose-looking, long, graduated tail. Female somewhat bigger than male. Solitary or in pairs; moves amidst dense growth, fanning and flicking tail often; clambers up into trees, but is a poor flier, lazily flying short distances.

Habitat: 
forest, scrub, cultivation, gardens, derelict patches, vicinity of habitation.
Food: 
insects, lizards, frogs, eggs and young of other birds, small snakes.
Distribution: 
subcontinent, from outer Himalaya to about 2,000m.
Call: 
Call Description: 
loud and resonant coop…coop…coop… call familiar; occasionally a squeaky call.
National Status: