Photo: FatihPR / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sunda Coucal
Centropus nigrorufus
Sunda Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) — Cuckoos & Turacos of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sunda Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 244 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Centropus
- Species nigrorufus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 244 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sunda Coucal is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Sunda Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sunda Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) belongs to the Cuculidae family of the order Cuculiformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Java.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 244 g, with a wing length of about 20.6 cm and a tail of around 23.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 28,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sunda Coucal?
The Sunda Coucal is a large bird that weighs around 244 g.
Where does the Sunda Coucal live?
The Sunda Coucal is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Java, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Sunda Coucal belong to?
The Sunda Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Sunda Coucal eat?
The Sunda Coucal is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Sunda Coucal migrate?
The Sunda Coucal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sunda Coucal endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Sunda Coucal make?
1 real field recording of the Sunda 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 Sunda Coucal's range?
The Sunda Coucal has a mapped global range of about 28,000 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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