Coucals - Family Overview

Coucals are large, ground-oriented cuckoos belonging to the family Cuculidae. They are characterised by robust bodies, long tails, broad rounded wings, and a preference for moving through dense vegetation rather than sustained flight.

Members of this group inhabit grassland, scrub, wetlands, forest edges, and cultivated landscapes. They feed on a wide range of prey including insects, small reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally small birds, which are taken while walking or hopping on the ground.

In the Indian subcontinent, coucals are widespread residents across diverse lowland habitats. They are usually seen singly or in pairs and are often detected by their deep, resonant calls rather than by prolonged views.

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