Brown Coucal
Encyclopedia
The Andaman Coucal or Brown Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) is a species of non-parasitic cuckoo
found in the Andaman
s, Coco and Table Islands. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Greater Coucal
. It is found mainly in forested habitat
s and thickly covered gardens.
(Centropus sinensis), except that its plumage is a fawn brown as opposed to C. sinensiss bluish-purple. It has a chestnut rear mantle and wings and the head is pale tawny brown. The mantle and breast grade from pale to dark brown on the belly and vent
. The iris is pale brown. The tail is a pale brown at the base and dark violet-brown towards the tip. The tail feathers have conspicuous black shafts. The juvenile shows slight barring on the body, especially on the underside.
, although his notes were published by R.C. Beavan
in 1867. Stuart Baker (1927) continued to treat it as a species but Ripley (1961) and Ali and Ripley (1969) included it as a subspecies of Centropus sinensis. This is justified by the treatment of another specieis with a brown form in the Kangean Islands, Centropus sinensis kangeangensis. Peters
considered it doubtful as a subspecies and noted a structural resemblance to the Sri Lankan Centropus chlororhynchus. Rasmussen and Anderton (2005) consider it a valid species on the basis of distinct vocalization and also suggest elevation of the Kangean form and further study of Centropus sinensis.
and Table Island
, which belong to Myanmar
. It is common in forests and in disturbed areas including gardens, forest and edge, mangroves, edges of paddy fields.
The song is much like that of the Greater Coucal
, consisting of a long series of very deep and resonant hoop notes. The notes however rise abruptly in pitch. It is also known to give chuckling and grating calls.
Feeds on all kinds of insects, small frogs, crabs and lizards.
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
found in the Andaman
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are a group of Indian Ocean archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal between India to the west, and Burma , to the north and east...
s, Coco and Table Islands. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Greater Coucal
Greater Coucal
The Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in Asia, from India, east to south China and Indonesia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species...
. It is found mainly in forested habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s and thickly covered gardens.
Description
It is a large coucal, with males being around 380–400 mm (12.6-15.7 inches) and females somewhat larger at 400–420 mm (15.7-16.5 inches) in length. Structurally, it closely resembles the Greater CoucalGreater Coucal
The Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in Asia, from India, east to south China and Indonesia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species...
(Centropus sinensis), except that its plumage is a fawn brown as opposed to C. sinensiss bluish-purple. It has a chestnut rear mantle and wings and the head is pale tawny brown. The mantle and breast grade from pale to dark brown on the belly and vent
Bird anatomy
Bird anatomy, or the physiological structure of birds' bodies, shows many unique adaptations, mostly aiding flight. Birds have a light skeletal system and light but powerful musculature which, along with circulatory and respiratory systems capable of very high metabolic rates and oxygen supply,...
. The iris is pale brown. The tail is a pale brown at the base and dark violet-brown towards the tip. The tail feathers have conspicuous black shafts. The juvenile shows slight barring on the body, especially on the underside.
Taxonomy and systematics
This species was first described as Centropus andamanensis (toponym after its distribution) by R.C. TytlerRobert Christopher Tytler
Robert Christopher Tytler was a British soldier, naturalist and photographer. His second wife Harriet is well known for her work in documenting the monuments of Delhi and for her notes at the time of the 1857 revolt in India...
, although his notes were published by R.C. Beavan
Robert Cecil Beavan
Captain Robert Cecil Beavan Corresponding member of the Zoological Society, served in India with the Bengal Staff Corps for 10 years. During his short life he collected specimens of birds and eggs at various locations. He contributed notes to the Ibis journal as wells as the Proceedings of the...
in 1867. Stuart Baker (1927) continued to treat it as a species but Ripley (1961) and Ali and Ripley (1969) included it as a subspecies of Centropus sinensis. This is justified by the treatment of another specieis with a brown form in the Kangean Islands, Centropus sinensis kangeangensis. Peters
James Lee Peters
James Lee Peters was an American ornithologist.Peters was Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, at Harvard University...
considered it doubtful as a subspecies and noted a structural resemblance to the Sri Lankan Centropus chlororhynchus. Rasmussen and Anderton (2005) consider it a valid species on the basis of distinct vocalization and also suggest elevation of the Kangean form and further study of Centropus sinensis.
Distribution and habitat
It is mainly found in the Andamans (at least South, North and associated islets) as well as on the nearby Coco IslandsCoco Islands
Coco Islands are a pair of strategically important islands located in the eastern Indian Ocean, politically administered by Burma under Yangon Division. They are allegedly leased to the People's Republic of China since 1994...
and Table Island
Table Island
Table Island is an uninhabited island within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in the territory of Nunavut. It lies in Norwegian Bay, north of Devon Island, and is also south Cornwall Island, separated by Belcher Channel. Ekins Island is a small islet about to the southwest.-References:*...
, which belong to Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
. It is common in forests and in disturbed areas including gardens, forest and edge, mangroves, edges of paddy fields.
Behaviour and ecology
It breeds during the monsoon (May through July). The nest is made of twigs, grass and leaves and is placed well above the ground in a tree. The usual clutch is two or three.The song is much like that of the Greater Coucal
Greater Coucal
The Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in Asia, from India, east to south China and Indonesia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species...
, consisting of a long series of very deep and resonant hoop notes. The notes however rise abruptly in pitch. It is also known to give chuckling and grating calls.
Feeds on all kinds of insects, small frogs, crabs and lizards.