Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchelli)
The southern subspecies is sometimes split as Burchell's coucal, Centropus burchelli named after the British naturalist William John Burchell. It is often considered a subspecies of the White Browed Coucal but has a black cap and mantle. (Not streaked). This common resident to southern Africa is usually solitary or in pairs and prefers clambering through the riverine or coastal bush. It is more often heard than it is seen, when it does fly, the flight is ponderous and ends with a long glide to the next bush. According to popular Southern African lore, this species' distinctive call, which resembles water pouring from a bottle, is said to signal impending rainfall, earning the bird the affectionate moniker rainbird.
Size: 3840px × 2880px
Location: Kariega, South Africa
Photo credit: © John Porter LRPS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: africa, african, bird, birds, browed, brown, burchelli, burchells, centropus, coucal, cuckoo, kariega, ornithology, rainbird, south, southern, superciliosus, white
