Senegal coucal

Introduction: Senegal coucals (Centropus senegalensis) inhabit scrub and thickets close to watercourses and between grassland and woodland. They also use sugar cane fields, parks and gardens, solitary or in pairs. Will rather run when disturbed than fly.

Distribution: North-eastern Namibia, Caprivi, Bwabwata National Park, Etosha National Park, Tsumkwe and Kaudom Game Park.

Diet: Scans vegetation on the ground for grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, cockroaches, beetles, bugs, termites and crabs. Vertebrate includes small snakes and lizards, nestling birds and eggs. Attacks and kills small birds caught in nets.

Description: Senegalensis is Latin for 'from Senegal'. Head and neck glossy blue-back. Rump blackish-brown with a glossy greenish-black tail. Often confused with white-browed coucal.

Breeding: Unimpressive grass and twig dome structure built by male with side entrance and lined with green leaves. Between 2 and 5 eggs are laid between October and March.

Size: 39cm.

Weight: 170g.