Alternative names: Large Coucal; Giant Coucal
- Centropus goliath
Identification
62 - 70cm. A very large Coucal.
- Black plumage
- Bluish wings and tail
- White patch on greater wing-coverts
- Whitish morph on Halmahera with buffish on head; occasionally pied individuals
Sexes similar. Juveniles are black above with white patch on wing-coverts, chestnut head, neck and underparts with diamond-shaped streaks and blackish belly.
Distribution
South-east Asia: found in the northern Moluccas (Morotai, Halmahera, Tidore, Bacan and Obi).
Common on Halmahera.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Forms a superspecies with Violaceous Coucal and Greater Black Coucal.
Habitat
Various types of forests, also in scrub at edge of agricultural land. Up to 250m on Bacan.
Behaviour
Diet
No information. Forages in lower sub-canopy up to 12m and in under-storey.
Breeding
Little known. Nestlings have long white hair-like down on head.
Movements
This is a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Goliath Coucal. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Goliath_Coucal
