- Oxylophus jacobinus
Also known as Clamator jacobinus
Identification
33 cm. Adults have a prominent crest and a long, graduated tail. They occur in two distinct colour morphs: Adults of the light morph are black above with white underparts, whereas the dark morph is completely black except for a small white wing patch which occurs in both morphs. Juveniles are browner above and yellowish-white below.
It is a noisy species, with a persistent and loud pipew pipew pipew call.
Distribution
Africa, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. winter.
Taxonomy
It is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin.
Habitat
Scrub, wetlands and cultivation.
Behaviour
It is a brood parasite, and lays its single egg mostly in the nests of Turdoides babblers. Diet includes a variety of insects and caterpillars.
