Photo: Rüppell, Eduard, 1794-1884 / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Blue-headed Coucal
Centropus monachus
Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 201 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Centropus
- Species monachus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 201 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Blue-headed Coucal is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Blue-headed Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) is a member of the Cuculidae family, within the order Cuculiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, c, w.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 201 g, with a wing length of about 18.1 cm and a tail of around 21.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Blue-headed Coucal?
The Blue-headed Coucal is a large bird that weighs around 201 g.
Where does the Blue-headed Coucal live?
The Blue-headed Coucal is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, c, w, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Blue-headed Coucal belong to?
The Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Blue-headed Coucal eat?
The Blue-headed Coucal is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Blue-headed Coucal migrate?
The Blue-headed Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Blue-headed Coucal endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Blue-headed Coucal make?
1 real field recording of the Blue-headed Coucal can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Blue-headed Coucal's range?
The Blue-headed Coucal has a mapped global range of about 2.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Cuculidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Cuckoos & Turacos
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable