How to identify the Burchell's Coucal

To correctly identify the Burchell's Coucal (Centropus burchellii), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

36-42 cm

Wingspan

50-60 cm

Weight

170-250 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have a glossy black head, neck, and upper breast, often with a purplish-blue sheen. The back and wings are rufous-chestnut, with the flight feathers being darker, sometimes appearing blackish. The tail is long, broad, and black, often with a greenish gloss, and the undertail coverts are black. The lower breast and belly are creamy white to buff.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Robust, decurved culmen, black in color.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Red to reddish-brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark grey to black.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Large size, glossy black head and breast contrasting with rufous wings, long black tail, and red eyes. Its terrestrial habits and distinctive call are also key identifiers.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are duller overall, with a sooty-brown head and breast, often streaked with buff. The rufous wings are duller and may have faint barring. The tail is shorter and less glossy. The eyes are typically brown, gradually changing to red with maturity.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. The glossy black can appear duller when worn.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Females are generally slightly larger than males, but plumage is identical.

Key field marks

• Plumage. Look for the striking contrast between the glossy black head and upper breast and the rufous-chestnut back and wings. The long, broad black tail is also distinctive.
• Eye Color. Adults have bright red eyes, which are a key field mark.
• Size and Shape. It's a large, heavy-bodied bird with a long tail, often appearing somewhat ungainly.
• Behavior. Observe its terrestrial habits; it prefers to walk and clamber through dense vegetation rather than fly. Its flight is typically low and labored.
• Vocalization. Listen for its characteristic 'water-bubbling' call, which is often the first indication of its presence, especially in dense cover.

Explore the Burchell's Coucal