Andaman Coucal

Overview

The Andaman coucal, or brown coucal (Centropus andamanensis), is a species of non-parasitic cuckoo found in the Andamans, Coco and Table Islands. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though its taxonomic status as a distinct species or a subspecies of the greater coucal remains debated.

Identification

• Males measure 380–400 mm in length, while females are somewhat larger at 400–420 mm.
• Plumage is fawn brown, distinguishing it from the black, bluish-purple sheen of the greater coucal; the head is pale tawny brown, and the rear mantle and wings are chestnut.
• The tail is pale brown at the base and dark violet-brown towards the tip, featuring conspicuous black shafts.
• The song resembles that of the greater coucal, consisting of long, deep, resonant hoop notes that rise abruptly in pitch, accompanied by chuckling and grating calls.

Habitat

It is mainly found in the Andamans, as well as on the nearby Coco Islands and Table Island, which belong to Myanmar. The species is common in forested habitats and thickly covered gardens, including disturbed areas such as forest edges, mangroves, and the edges of paddy fields.

Diet

The Andaman coucal feeds on a variety of prey, including all kinds of insects, small frogs, crabs, and lizards.

Did you know?

Despite its taxonomic uncertainty, the species is distinguished from similar brown cuckoos by its distinct vocalisation, which Rasmussen and Anderton consider a valid basis for its separation as a species.