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(Picture of juvenile. Imp sizes. References updated) |
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| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | [[Image:23133blue-headed_coucal.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:23133blue-headed_coucal.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Photo by {{user|megan+perkins|megan perkins}} <br />Kisumu, [[Kenya]], December 2006]] |
;[[:Category:Centropus|Centropus]] monachus | ;[[:Category:Centropus|Centropus]] monachus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 45–52 cm (17¾-20½ in) | |
| + | *Crown and nape black with bluish iridescence in good light | ||
| + | *Chestnut lower back and wings | ||
====Similar species==== | ====Similar species==== | ||
Larger and with less chestnut wings than [[Senegal Coucal]]; Smaller than [[Coppery-tailed Coucal]] and has unbarrred uppertail coverts. | Larger and with less chestnut wings than [[Senegal Coucal]]; Smaller than [[Coppery-tailed Coucal]] and has unbarrred uppertail coverts. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 11: | ||
[[Africa]] south of the Sahara to [[Angola]], [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] and [[Tanzania]]. | [[Africa]] south of the Sahara to [[Angola]], [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] and [[Tanzania]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | + | ====Subspecies==== |
| − | + | [[Image:Blue Headed Coucal Immature 9 - Copy.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|whiteheadedvulture|whiteheadedvulture}}<br />Accra, [[Ghana]], April 2016]] | |
| + | ''Centropus monachus'' has two subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
*''C. m. fischeri'': | *''C. m. fischeri'': | ||
:*[[Ivory Coast]] to western [[Kenya]], southern [[Sudan]], [[Ethiopia]] and northern [[Angola]] | :*[[Ivory Coast]] to western [[Kenya]], southern [[Sudan]], [[Ethiopia]] and northern [[Angola]] | ||
| Line 25: | Line 28: | ||
As well as carrion, they eat reptiles, amphibians, snakes, birds and their eggs; also rodents, insects and snails. | As well as carrion, they eat reptiles, amphibians, snakes, birds and their eggs; also rodents, insects and snails. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#Kenya Birds |
#{{Ref-SinclairRyan03}} | #{{Ref-SinclairRyan03}} | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 00:23, 16 April 2016
- Centropus monachus
Identification
45–52 cm (17¾-20½ in)
- Crown and nape black with bluish iridescence in good light
- Chestnut lower back and wings
Similar species
Larger and with less chestnut wings than Senegal Coucal; Smaller than Coppery-tailed Coucal and has unbarrred uppertail coverts.
Distribution
Africa south of the Sahara to Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Centropus monachus has two subspecies[1]:
- C. m. fischeri:
- Ivory Coast to western Kenya, southern Sudan, Ethiopia and northern Angola
- C. m. monachus:
An additional subspecies occidentalis, is not recognised by all authorities[1]
Habitat
Dense undergrowth in papyrus swamps and habitats close to water.
Behaviour
Breeding
Its nest is oval with a side entrance, built from sedges and grasses and lined with green leaves.
Diet
As well as carrion, they eat reptiles, amphibians, snakes, birds and their eggs; also rodents, insects and snails.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Kenya Birds
- Sinclair, I and P Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691118154
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Blue-headed Coucal. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Blue-headed_Coucal
