Bird
Senegal Coucal
Centropus senegalensisSenegal coucals are heavy-set cuckoos with glossy black crowns, rich chestnut wings, and cream-colored underparts. Unlike many European and Asian cuckoos, they build their own bulky dome nests in thorny thickets rather than parasitizing other birds. They spend much of their time clambering through low vegetation or walking on the ground, searching out insects and small vertebrates while delivering a resonant, descending bubbling call.
SavannahPredatoryVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasshoppers, Lizards, Frogs
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Small Carnivores
ThreatsHabitat clearing, intense bushfires, pesticide spraying
HabitatsSavannah, open woodland, thickets, grassland, farm clearings
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- OrderCuculiformes
- FamilyCuculidae
- GenusCentropus
- SpeciesCentropus senegalensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Scan low thorn bushes when hearing a deep, descending call like water pouring from a bottle.
- Watch the Ground: Look for them along track edges early in the morning as they hunt for grasshoppers in grass dew.
- Maintain Distance: Remain on established trails, as these birds retreat into heavy cover if startled.
Close Relative (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by nmoorhatch · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) Dan Harville, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Frank Vassen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Backyard Birds
Senegal Coucal is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.