Photo: Naturalis - Zoology and Geology catalogues / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-throated Coucal
Centropus leucogaster
Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
The Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 308 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 leucogaster
Quick facts
- Weight
- 308 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-throated 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 Black-throated Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) belongs to the Cuculidae family of the order Cuculiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 308 g, with a wing length of about 19.6 cm and a tail of around 30.1 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 1.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-throated Coucal?
The Black-throated Coucal is a large bird that weighs around 308 g.
Where does the Black-throated Coucal live?
The Black-throated Coucal is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-throated Coucal belong to?
The Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Black-throated Coucal eat?
The Black-throated Coucal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Black-throated Coucal migrate?
The Black-throated Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-throated 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 Black-throated Coucal make?
1 real field recording of the Black-throated Coucal — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-throated Coucal's range?
The Black-throated Coucal has a mapped global range of about 1.3 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.
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