Buff-headed coucal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buff-headed coucal |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Centropus
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| Species: |
milo
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| Global range (In red) | |
The buff-headed coucal (Centropus milo) is a special type of bird called a coucal. Coucals are often thought to be part of the cuckoo family. However, many scientists now believe they are different enough to be their own family. This bird is very common and lives only in the central Solomon Islands. It likes to live in warm, wet forests, both old and new.
About the Buff-headed Coucal
The buff-headed coucal is a large bird. It has a strong beak and short wings. It can grow to be about 60 to 69 centimeters (23 to 27 inches) long. This bird is also quite heavy, weighing around 769 grams (about 1.7 pounds). This makes it one of the biggest coucals. It might even be the largest of all cuckoos!
What Does It Look Like?
Adult buff-headed coucals have very striking plumage (feathers). Their head, upper back, and belly are a light, creamy color, like "buff." Their wings, lower back, and tail are shiny black. Their eyes are red, and their legs and beak are dark gray.
Young buff-headed coucals look very different! Their wings and tail are reddish-brown with black stripes. The rest of their body is brown with black spots. Their eyes are brown-gray. Their beak has two colors: brown on top and pale horn (a light yellowish-brown) underneath.
Interesting Facts: Local Names
In the Solomon Islands, people often think of the adult and young buff-headed coucals as different birds. Because of this, they have different names for them! For example, in the Touo language, the adult is called mozu. The young bird is called sagaza. In the Roviana language, the adult is nao and the young is sengenge. And in the Marovo language, the adult is ao while the young is chehohu.
