- Centropus bengalensis
Identification
38cm; black plumage; wings and back chestnut; eyes red, bill and feet black.
Distribution
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.
Habitat
Open grasslands, both dry and marshy.
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.
