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13

Pheasant Coucal

(Centropus phasianinus)
Alternative names: "Coucal", "Swamp Pheasant"
Size: 60-75 cm
Weight: 380 g (average)

Taxonomy, classification

See Pheasant Coucal at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat

 (for details refer to a field guide)

Pheasant Coucals inhabit large parts of the tropics of Australia and the eastern half of QLD, down to the north-eastern corner of NSW. Normally they are found in the Gascoyne, the Kimberley and associated offshore islands of WA, the top end of the NT, down to about Kununurra, along the south coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, all of Cape York peninsula and most of QLD, including offshore islands, but not the inland area south-west of a line from about Mt. Isa to Toowoomba. In NSW found along the north-eastern coastal fringe and slopes. Only occasionally they are found further inland, roughly up to a line connecting Walgett with Sydney. Nominate race "phasianinus" is found south-east of a line connecting Rockhampton, QLD, and Carnarvon National Park. Everywhere else on the continent, as specified above, race "melanurus" is found. Race "thierfelderi" is resident only on a few islands in the Torres Strait, to the north of Cape York.

Pheasant Coucals are usually found in dense growth near streams, but also in canefields.

Sightings

A single Pheasant Coucal, nominate race "phasianinus", in breeding plumage was spotted by us at Eulah Creek, 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW, in February 2012. The bird arrived a few days after record rainfall in the area, with both local flash flooding and riverine flooding.

Photos

Lateral view of a Pheasant Coucal ("phasianinus") hiding in a tree; it is clearly visible that the bird is keeping a watchful eye on the photographer

This image gives the clearest view of the upper body of the bird, which is somewhat reminiscent of an Apostlebird, the barred wing plumage and the long tail; note also the impressive, long talons

Lateral view of a Pheasant Coucal with its head cocked

Distant view from behind of a Pheasant Coucal in flight

Here the fanned tail of the same bird, sticking out of the foliage of a tree when landing

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.