Green-billed Coucal

Overview

The Centropus chlororhynchos, or green-billed coucal, is a cuckoo species endemic to the wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to population declines resulting from forest destruction and fragmentation.

Identification

• A medium to large bird measuring 43 cm in length.
• Plumage features a purple-black head and body, maroon upper wings, black underwings, and a dark green long tail.
• Possesses a distinctive light green bill.
• Sexes are similar, but juveniles appear duller and streaked.

Habitat

This species is restricted to the tall rainforests of southwest Sri Lanka. It typically nests in bushes and produces a clutch of two to three eggs.

Diet

The green-billed coucal feeds on a wide range of insects, caterpillars, and small vertebrates, with a particular preference for snails.

Did you know?

Despite its considerable size and distinctive call, the bird is notoriously difficult to observe due to the dense nature of its habitat and its retiring behaviour.