Black coucal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black coucal |
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| Subadult in central Angola | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Centropus
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| Species: |
grillii
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The black coucal (Centropus grillii) is a special type of cuckoo bird. You can find it in many parts of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. It's known for its unique family life, where the female birds are often in charge!
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What Does the Black Coucal Look Like?
Black coucals are medium-sized birds. The male is about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long, and the female is a bit bigger at 34 centimeters (13 inches). They look quite similar.
When it's time to find a mate, their feathers turn mostly black. Their head, body, and tail are black, but their wings are a reddish-brown color. They might have some light brown stripes on their back.
When they are not breeding, their top feathers become dark brown with reddish-brown stripes. Their eyes are brown, and their beak and legs are black. Young black coucals are reddish-brown with different dark and light stripes.
Where Do Black Coucals Live?
The black coucal lives in many countries across Africa. You can find them in places like Angola, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia, plus many more! Some coucals stay in one place all year, while others travel around.
They like to live in wet, grassy areas like marshes and savannahs. You can also spot them in open grasslands, thick bushes, or clearings in forests. They usually live in areas below 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) high, but sometimes they go up to 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet).
Cool Facts About Black Coucal Family Life
Black coucals have a very interesting way of raising their families. It's almost the opposite of what you might expect!
- Females are in Charge: In many bird species, the male is the one who tries to attract many females. But for black coucals, the female is the one who has more than one male partner. She also protects her own territory.
- Males Raise the Chicks: After the female lays her eggs, it's usually the male black coucal who takes care of the nest. He sits on the eggs to keep them warm and then looks after the baby chicks until they are ready to leave the nest. This is quite unusual in the bird world!
Is the Black Coucal Safe?
The black coucal is not a common bird everywhere, but it lives across a very large area. Scientists have looked at their numbers and haven't found any big threats to them. Their population seems to be stable. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says the black coucal is a species of "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
