26-12-2023 BAKAU, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

The Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the hoatzin. It is a medium-sized member of its genus and is found in lightly-wooded country and savannah in central and southern Africa.

This is a medium-sized species at 39 cm (15 in) in length. Its crown, nape and upper parts, bill, legs and long tail are black, the eyes are red, the wings are chestnut, and the underparts are creamy white, with blackish barring on the flanks. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner and more heavily barred above, with buff to cinnamon, barred and streaked underparts.

It is a widespread species distributed through much of central and southern Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The range extends from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and Angola and Congo to the south. A separate population in southern Africa is centred on Zambia, Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. The Senegal coucal is a bird of grassy habitats with trees, such as bushes and savannah.

The Senegal coucal takes a wide range of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. It occasionally eats other food items. It nests off the ground in low vegetation, and the typical clutch is two to four eggs laid in a large nest built from stalks and leaves.

31-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

The Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis ) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the hoatzin. It is a medium-sized member of its genus and is found in lightly-wooded country and savannah in central and southern Africa.

This is a medium-sized species at 39 cm (15 in). Its crown, nape and upper parts, bill, legs and long tail are black, the eyes are red, the wings are chestnut, and the underparts are creamy white, with blackish barring on the flanks. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner and more heavily barred above, with buff to cinnamon, barred and streaked underparts.

It is a widespread species distributed through much of central and southern Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The range extends from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and Angola and Congo to the south. A separate population in southern Africa is centred on Zambia, Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. The Senegal coucal is a bird of grassy habitats with trees, such as bushes and savannah.

23-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

Small coucal with a black cap and buffy underparts. There is a localized West African population that shows black underparts, save for a rufous belly. Found in a variety of habitats with a thick understory, including tall grassland, scrub, thickets within savanna, and forest edge. Skulks in the undergrowth, occasionally emerging to sit on an exposed perch, especially when drying out after a rainstorm. Song is a descending and accelerating series of deep “boop” notes. In the small area of overlap with Burchell’s Coucal, separated by the plain black rather than barred top of the tail. Immature has a streaked back and resembles White-browed Coucal but is more rufous below. Much smaller than Black-throated and Coppery-tailed Coucals. 

The Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the hoatzin. It is a medium-sized member of its genus and is found in lightly-wooded country and savannah in central and southern Africa.

This is a medium-sized species at 39 cm (15 in) in length. Its crown, nape and upper parts, bill, legs and long tail are black, the eyes are red, the wings are chestnut, and the underparts are creamy white, with blackish barring on the flanks. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner and more heavily barred above, with buff to cinnamon, barred and streaked underparts.

It is a widespread species distributed through much of central and southern Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The range extends from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and Angola and Congo to the south. A separate population in southern Africa is centred on Zambia, Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. The Senegal coucal is a bird of grassy habitats with trees, such as bushes and savannah.

The Senegal coucal takes a wide range of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. It occasionally eats other food items. It nests off the ground in low vegetation, and the typical clutch is two to four eggs laid in a large nest built from stalks and leaves.

This is an abundant species, which advertises its presence with a loud ook-ook-ook call. It has a very wide range and no particular threats have been identified so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

17-12-2022 KARTONG, THE GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

26-12-2022 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

28-4-2022 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

24-4-2022 CALYPSO BAR, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

22-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

5-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

The Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis, is a medium-sized bird within the cuckoo order, Cuculiformes. It boasts a striking appearance with a black crown, nape, upper parts, bill, legs, and elongated tail. The eyes of this species are a captivating red, while the wings present a rich chestnut hue. The underparts are a creamy white, accented with blackish barring on the flanks.

When identifying the Senegal coucal, look for its black upper body and tail, contrasting with chestnut wings and creamy underparts. The red eyes are a distinctive feature, as is the barring on the flanks. Juveniles may appear browner with more pronounced barring and streaking.

This bird favors grassy environments interspersed with trees, such as bushlands and savannahs, providing it with ample cover and foraging opportunities.

The Senegal coucal's range spans across central and southern Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. It can be found from Senegal and Gambia in the west, across to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and reaching down to Angola and Congo in the south. A separate population resides in southern Africa, particularly around Zambia, Zimbabwe, and northern Botswana.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI, BOTSWANA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1670-Centropus-senegalensis

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)

The Senegal coucal (\(Centropus\) \(senegalensis\)) is a medium-sized bird from the cuckoo family, found across much of sub-Saharan Africa in habitats with dense undergrowth like tall grasslands and savannas. Its plumage is black on the head and upper parts, with a long black tail, and creamy white underparts, though juveniles are browner and barred. These birds are known for their distinctive descending "boop" call, are often heard before they are seen, and have a diet that includes insects, small vertebrates, and eggs. 

Appearance 

Adult: Glossy black head and neck, black wings with a chestnut color, and a long, black tail. The underparts are creamy white, sometimes with reddish reflections on the flanks and abdomen. Red-ringed red eyes give the bird a stern look.

Juvenile: Browner and more heavily barred on the back, wings, and tail.Size: Approximately 39 cm (15 inches) long.