Photo: J.M.Garg / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) — Cuckoos & Turacos of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 281 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 sinensis
Where it lives
Pakistan to southeastern China, southwestern Philippines and Greater Sundas
Quick facts
- Weight
- 281 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Greater Coucal preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Greater Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a species of bird in the Cuculidae family, part of the order Cuculiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Pakistan to se China, sw Philippines and Greater Sundas.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 281 g, with a wing length of about 21.2 cm and a tail of around 26.1 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 7.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Greater Coucal?
The Greater Coucal is a large bird that weighs around 281 g.
Where does the Greater Coucal live?
The Greater Coucal is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Pakistan to se China, sw Philippines and Greater Sundas, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Greater Coucal belong to?
The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Greater Coucal eat?
The Greater Coucal preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Greater Coucal migrate?
The Greater Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Greater 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 Greater Coucal make?
1 real field recording of the Greater Coucal — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Greater Coucal's range?
The Greater Coucal has a mapped global range of about 7.9 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
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Cuckoos & Turacos
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern