What to Know About the Blue-headed Coucal in Uganda?

The Blue-Headed Coucal in Uganda is one of the Uganda birds seen during birding tours in Uganda.

This species belongs to the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, and is a resident bird across the tropical regions of Africa.

Often found near swamps, riverbanks, and forest edges, the coucal thrives in wet habitats.

Sightings of this bird are a highlight for visitors on birding in Africa/Africa birding safaris, adding richness to the experience of birding in Uganda.

It is a common species with a wide range, regarded as of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

How Does the Blue-headed Coucal in Uganda Look Like?

The blue-headed coucal is an average sized bird with length between 45 to 52 cm. male and female are similar, the adult having the head, sides of neck and back black, glossed with blue, the lower back and rump black, the wings predominantly deep chestnut and the tail black, glossed with green or bronze.

The underparts are white or pale buff. The eyes are dark red, the beak black and the legs and feet greyish-black.

The juvenile is similar to the adult but the black areas are dull rather than glossy; the head is streaked with rufous-buff, the wings are dark chestnut heavily barred with dark brown, and the back and tail are barred with buff. The throat and breast feathers are spotted with black.