Philippine Coucal

Overview

The Philippine coucal (Centropus viridis) is a species of cuckoo endemic to the Philippines. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide range and tolerance for human-altered habitats.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird with similar sexes, divided into subspecies that are either all black or black with chestnut wings.
• The carpenteri and major subspecies are larger than the viridis and mindorensis subspecies.

Habitat

Found throughout the Philippines in tall grassland, secondary forest, and thickets up to 2,000 meters above sea level. The species benefits from human-altered habitats.

Diet

Primarily an insectivore, it also supplements its diet with small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is often seen feeding near the ground.

Did you know?

The nest is a bulky globe of grass with a single entrance on the side, placed 1 to 1.5 meters above the ground.