Gabon coucal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gabon coucal |
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| A Gabon coucal (above) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Centropus
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| Species: |
anselli
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The Gabon coucal (Centropus anselli) is a type of cuckoo bird. It belongs to the Cuculidae family. This bird is mostly found in Gabon, a country in Africa. It also lives in nearby places like Cameroon, Angola, the Central African Republic, the western Congo Basin, and Equatorial Guinea.
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What Does the Gabon Coucal Look Like?
The Gabon coucal is a large bird. It can grow to be about 46 to 58 centimeters (18 to 23 inches) long. Both male and female Gabon coucals look quite similar.
Adult birds have a black head, neck, and back. These parts shine with a purple color. Their lower back and rump are a whitish-buff color with black stripes. Their wings are dark brown and dark chestnut. The tail is a blackish-bronze color with a green shine. The belly and chest are a reddish-buff or brownish-orange color. Their eyes are reddish, their beak is black, and their feet are also black.
Young Gabon coucals look a lot like the adults. However, their black feathers are mostly dark brown and do not shine. Their wings also have many stripes and are more reddish-brown.
Where Does the Gabon Coucal Live?
The Gabon coucal lives in the tropical parts of western central Africa. You can find it in Gabon and the countries around it. These include southern Cameroon, the southwestern Central African Republic, western Congo, central Democratic Republic of Congo, and northwestern Angola.
This bird likes to live in different kinds of forests. It can be found in very old, untouched forests. It also lives in forests that are growing back after being cut down. You might see them at the edges of forests or in wet, swampy areas. They can even live in old farms that people have left behind.
Life and Habits of the Gabon Coucal
The Gabon coucal is a shy bird. It likes to hide in thick bushes and plants, so it's not easy to spot. But you can often hear its calls, especially early in the morning and late in the evening.
This bird usually looks for food on the ground. It eats many different things. Its diet includes grasshoppers and beetles. It also eats snails and other soft-bodied creatures. Frogs, small birds, lizards, and tiny snakes are also on its menu. Sometimes, it even looks for leftover food around villages and camps.
Reproduction
Gabon coucals usually lay their eggs and raise their young during the rainy season. In places that are wet all year, they might breed during the short dry period between two rainy seasons.
