Alternative name: Violet Coucal; Giant Forest Coucal
- Centropus violaceus
Identification
64 cm. A large, black Coucal.
- Black plumage with violet sheen
- Red eye
- Greyish bare skin around eye, black eye-ring
- Black bill and legs
- Slaty-horn feet
Sexes similar. Juvenils are dull black above and have glossed purple wings and tail.
Distribution
Endemic to New Britain and New Ireland (Papua New Guinea).
Status little known. Considered to be widely but thinly distributed in suitable habitat.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Forms a superspecies with Goliath Coucal and Greater Black Coucal.
Habitat
Moist lowland primary forests. Occurs from lowlands up to 950 m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on large insects, takes also frogs and snails.
Forages actively in limbs of trees and vines.
Breeding
The nest is a loose structure made of twigs and placed in the top of a tall tree. Lays 3 eggs.
Movements
This is a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Violaceous Coucal. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Violaceous_Coucal
