Sumatran ground cuckoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sumatran ground cuckoo |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Carpococcyx
|
| Species: |
viridis
|
The Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis) is a large ground-dwelling cuckoo bird. It lives only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. This bird is very hard to find. Scientists first learned about it in 1879.
For a long time, people thought it was the same as the Bornean ground cuckoo. But in 2000, scientists decided it was its own special species. This shy bird was only known from eight examples for many years. It was not seen from 1916 until 1997. Then, Andjar Rafiastanto rediscovered and photographed it. The Sumatran ground cuckoo likely eats insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
Contents
What Does the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo Look Like?
The Sumatran ground cuckoo is a large bird that lives on the ground. It has a long, full tail. Adult birds are about 55 centimeters (22 inches) long.
Its beak and strong legs are green. The top of its head is black, turning green on the back of its head. Its back, neck, and upper chest are dull green. Its lower back is brown with greenish-brown stripes. Its wings and tail are shiny and greenish-black. The rest of its belly is a cinnamon-buff color. It has bright green, purple, and blue skin around its eyes.
What Sounds Does It Make?
We do not know much about the sounds this bird makes. One call that was recorded recently was a series of low whistles. The sound would fall, then rise in tone. Each whistle in the series was slightly higher than the last.
Where Does the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo Live?
The Sumatran ground cuckoo is found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. This means it is endemic to Sumatra. Old notes say it likes to live in the foothills and in thick, mountain rainforests. Recent sightings also show it lives in these areas. It has been found at heights between 300 and 1400 meters (about 980 to 4600 feet).
Because it is so rare, much of what we know comes from Tommaso Salvadori. He was an Italian bird expert who first discovered it. Not much effort has been made to learn about the bird from local people.
How Many Sumatran Ground Cuckoos Are Left?
Experts believe there are only 50 to 249 adult Sumatran ground cuckoos left. Their numbers are thought to be going down. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species considers it one of the 100 most endangered bird species. Like its relative, the Bornean ground cuckoo, it is very shy. This might be why it is so hard to spot.
Recent Sightings
Most recent sightings have been in the Barisan Mountains in South Sumatra. Many have also been seen in the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Jambi province. The first photo of the bird was taken in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in 1997. Five more sightings happened nearby between 2007 and 2010. Another possible sighting was in the Bukit Rimbang-Baling Wildlife Sanctuary in 2000.
In 2006, a camera trap set for tigers caught many pictures of the Sumatran ground cuckoo. This was near Kerinci Seblat National Park. It was the first time since 1997 and only the second time in 90 years.
In 2007, the bird's call was recorded for the first time. This happened after a trapper gave a bird he had caught to biologists from the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
In 2017, a camera trap in Batang Gadis National Park took a photo of a Sumatran ground cuckoo. This suggests there might be a new group of these birds in North Sumatra.
Why Is the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo Endangered?
The Sumatran ground cuckoo is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is because its home is disappearing, and there are very few of them left.
We do not know everything about the Sumatran ground cuckoo. But it faces many of the same problems as other Sumatran animals. These include the Sumatran elephant, orangutan, rhinoceros, and tiger.
Loss of Habitat
The biggest threat to the cuckoo is deforestation. This means forests are being cut down. For example, in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, a main home for the bird, about 2% of the forest was lost each year between 1985 and 1999.
The lower mountain forests are often cleared to make room for palm oil plantations. Since 2006, Indonesia has been the biggest producer of palm oil. Production grew 400% between 1994 and 2004. It is expected to double by 2030.
The Sumatran ground cuckoo likes old, thick forests. So, planting new trees might not help as much as protecting the forests that are still there. Even protected areas are losing a lot of forest. The area where the bird was first found, Gunung Singgalang, had less forest as early as 1917.
Other Dangers
Because the Sumatran ground cuckoo looks for food on the ground, it can get caught in traps. These traps are often set for other animals, like the Red junglefowl. One cuckoo was recently caught in such a snare.
How Can We Help the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo?
Some efforts are being made to protect the Sumatran ground cuckoo. The Barisan Mountains have 20 protected areas. Some of these are where the cuckoo is known to live. The bird likely benefits from areas protected for other Sumatran animals. However, we need more studies to know exactly what the cuckoo needs to survive.
The IUCN has suggested ways to help. Now that the bird's call has been recorded, scientists can do more surveys. This will help them find out where the bird truly lives, how many there are, and what it needs. Once enough information is gathered, the IUCN advises checking existing protected areas. If key groups of cuckoos are not protected, they suggest creating more special protected areas. Like many other Sumatran animals, the cuckoo should be fully protected by Indonesian law.
Ecotourism might also help the Sumatran ground cuckoo. This is when people visit natural areas to see wildlife. While it could help in the short term, it might not guarantee long-term protection.
