Image via Macaulay Library
Coppery-tailed Coucal
- Scientific name
- Centropus cupreicaudus
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Long
Where it came from
The Coppery-tailed Coucal is a member of the cuckoo family native to the wetlands and riverine habitats of south-central Africa. It was first described by the ornithologist Alexander Frederick Roberts in 1914, representing a specialized lineage adapted to the dense reed beds of the Okavango Delta and surrounding swamp systems. Its taxonomy places it within the genus Centropus, birds known for their distinct terrestrial habits and refusal to practice the brood parasitism common among their relatives.
The bird’s design is defined by its substantial, broad wings and an exceptionally long, graduated tail, which allows for stable navigation through thick aquatic vegetation. The 'coppery' designation refers to the distinct bronze-green sheen found on the plumage of the upper tail coverts. Ornithologists recognize this species for its shy behavior, as its robust physical structure is highly specialized for movement within tangled marsh environments rather than high-altitude or migratory flight.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
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