Black coucal
| Black coucal | |
|---|---|
| |
| Subadult in central Angola | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cuculiformes
|
| Family: | Cuculidae |
| Genus: | Centropus |
| Species: | C. grillii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Centropus grillii Hartlaub, 1861
| |
The black coucal (Centropus grillii) is a species of
Description
The male black coucal is 30 cm (12 in) in length while the female is 34 cm (13 in), otherwise they are similar in appearance.[2] In breeding plumage the head, body and tail are black, apart from some buff barring on the rump, and the wings are rufous. Outside the breeding season, the upper parts are dark brown with rufous barring. The eyes are brown and the beak and legs are black. Juveniles are rufous with various dark and light barring and streaking.[3]
Distribution and habitat
It is found in
Ecology
The species has the role of sexes reversed with the males tending the nest while females are polyandrous and maintain territories. Studies on the hormonal system show that progesterone is responsible for controlling the aggressiveness of females.[4]
Status
The black coucal is a generally uncommon bird with a very wide range. No particular threats have been identified and the population is believed to be steady, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4081-4267-7.
- ISBN 978-0-19-850213-5.
- ^ Goymann, W., Wittenzellner, A., Schwabl, I., & Makomba, M. (2008, May 7). Progesterone modulates aggression in sex-role reversed female African black coucals. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 275(1638):1053-1060.