Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Violaceous Coucal
Centropus violaceus
Violaceous Coucal (Centropus violaceus) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Australia & Oceania.
The Violaceous Coucal (Centropus violaceus) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 500 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 violaceus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 500 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Violaceous Coucal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Violaceous Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Violaceous Coucal (Centropus violaceus) belongs to the Cuculidae family of the order Cuculiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU New Ireland and New Britain (e Bismarck Arch.).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 500 g, with a wing length of about 24.8 cm and a tail of around 34 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 39,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Violaceous Coucal?
The Violaceous Coucal is a large bird that weighs around 500 g.
Where does the Violaceous Coucal live?
The Violaceous Coucal is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU New Ireland and New Britain (e Bismarck Arch.), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Violaceous Coucal belong to?
The Violaceous Coucal (Centropus violaceus) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Violaceous Coucal eat?
The Violaceous Coucal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Violaceous Coucal migrate?
The Violaceous Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Violaceous 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 Violaceous Coucal make?
1 real field recording of the Violaceous 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 Violaceous Coucal's range?
The Violaceous Coucal has a mapped global range of about 39,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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