Where does the Burchell's Coucal live?
Centropus burchellii
Spotted a bird? Identify it instantly with the Birdby app
Open the appThe Burchell's Coucal lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
Biomes
Savanna, grasslands, woodlands, thickets, wetlands.
Geographic range
Sub-Saharan Africa, from southern Somalia and Kenya south through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa.
Preferred environments
Dense, tangled vegetation, reedbeds, rank grass, riverine thickets, and the edges of cultivation. They favor areas with good cover for foraging and nesting, often near water sources.
Elevation range
Sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters.
Where to look
Dense Thickets and Reedbeds
Often found in dense, tangled vegetation along rivers, dams, and marshes. Look for them in reedbeds and tall grass.
Savanna and Woodland Edges
Can be found in the undergrowth of savannas and at the edges of woodlands, particularly where there is dense shrubbery.
Gardens and Cultivated Areas
In some areas, they adapt to suburban gardens with sufficient dense cover and food sources.
Field tips
- Listen for the call. The distinctive bubbling call is the most reliable way to locate a Burchell's Coucal. Once heard, try to pinpoint the direction.
- Be patient and quiet. These birds are shy and secretive. Sit quietly near dense cover where you've heard a call, and it may eventually emerge or move closer.
- Scan low vegetation. Focus your search on the lower levels of dense bushes, tall grass, and reedbeds, as they spend most of their time foraging there.
- Look for movement. Even if you can't see the bird clearly, rustling in dense foliage might indicate its presence.
Migration
Resident throughout its range, though some local movements may occur in response to rainfall and food availability.
Explore the Burchell's Coucal
Identify birds anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo & sound identification, full species database, and your personal life list.