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Blue-headed coucal facts for kids

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Blue-headed coucal
Blue-headed Coucal - Kakum NP - Ghana 14 S4E2473 (16018020917).jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Centropus
Species:
monachus

The blue-headed coucal (Centropus monachus) is a type of cuckoo bird. It belongs to the Cuculidae family. You can find this bird in the warm, wet parts of central Africa. It likes places like swamps, river banks, and the edges of forests. It's a common bird, and experts say it's not in danger of disappearing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it as a "least concern" animal.

What Does the Blue-headed Coucal Look Like?

The blue-headed coucal is a medium-sized bird. It grows to be about 45 to 52 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) long. Both male and female birds look very similar.

Adult Birds

Adult blue-headed coucals have a black head, neck, and back. These black parts often shine with a blue color. Their lower back and rump are also black. Their wings are mostly a deep reddish-brown color, called chestnut. The tail is black and can shine with green or bronze colors.

The belly and chest of the bird are white or a light yellowish-brown. Their eyes are dark red, and their beak is black. Their legs and feet are a grayish-black color.

Young Birds

Young blue-headed coucals, called juveniles, look a lot like the adults. However, their black areas are not as shiny. Their head has streaks of reddish-brown. Their wings are dark chestnut with many dark brown stripes. The back and tail also have buff-colored stripes. You might see black spots on their throat and chest feathers.

Where Does the Blue-headed Coucal Live?

The blue-headed coucal lives in tropical central Africa. It can be found in areas up to 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet) high. It usually lives in higher places than another bird called the Senegal coucal.

Countries Where They Live

You can find the blue-headed coucal in many countries, including:

Their Favorite Places to Live

These birds like to live in wet and grassy areas. Their homes include:

  • Swamps and marshes
  • Tall grasslands
  • River banks
  • Wet savannahs (grassy plains)
  • Plantations (areas where crops are grown)
  • Secondary growth forest (forests that have grown back after being cut down)
  • Farmland
  • Villages
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Blue-headed coucal Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.