From Opus

Centropus bengalensis

Photo by Romy Ocon
Photographed: Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines

[edit] Identification

38cm; black plumage; wings and back chestnut; eyes red, bill and feet black.

[edit] Distribution

India to East Indonesia.

[edit] Taxonomy

Centropus bengalensis has six subspecies:

• Centropus bengalensis bengalensis;
• Centropus bengalensis lignator;
• Centropus bengalensis javanensis;
• Centropus bengalensis sarasinorum;
• Centropus bengalensis medius; and
• Centropus bengalensis philippinensis.

[edit] Habitat

Open grasslands, both dry and marshy.

[edit] Behaviour

Diet includes large insects, frogs, lizards, snakes. They hunt these among the undergrowth, using their powerful bills to catch and kill their prey.

They build a large globe nest made of twigs or grass (blades and stems) with a large entrance hole to one side. The nest is sometimes lined with green leaves and grass. 2-3 white eggs are laid.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages