Rufous coucal | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Cuculiformes |
Family: | Cuculidae |
Genus: | Centropus |
Species: | C. unirufus |
Binomial name | |
Centropus unirufus | |
The rufous coucal (Centropus unirufus) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in Luzon and proximate islands in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. Along with the Philippine coucal, Black-faced coucal and the critically endangered Black-hooded coucal, it is one of the 4 endemic coucals.
Ebird describes this as "A large, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest tangles and bamboo in the northern Philippines. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks. Distinguished by uniform rufous plumage with a greenish-yellow bill and an orange eye-ring which is elongated at the back. Juvenile Rough-crested malkoha is somewhat similar, but Rufous Coucal is more rufous and lacks the white-tipped tail. Voice includes a shrieking, upslurred “joo-week!” and sharp “wik” notes, sometimes given quickly, even frantically. [2]
Further work should be done on this species' taxonomy as it is generally believed that its behaviour and appearance are more similar to that of a Malkoha rather than a Coucal.
Not much is known about its diet and breeding habits. It is pressumed to feed on insects. It is the only coucal in the country that forms large groups of up to 20 individuals. Forages in thick tangled vines and bamboo. [3]
Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest where it prefers areas with dense undergrowth and tangles,
It is currently classified as near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature but its population is said to be declining. Its threats are mainly habitat loss due to deforestation for lumber, mining and farmlands. There are no known targeted conservation actions for this bird, but it will indirectly benefit from the conservation of other North Luzon species like the Critically Endangered Isabela oriole.
It occurs in a few protected areas such as Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan National Park but despite this legal protection, enforcement is lax and these areas continue to be deforested. [4]
The blue-headed fantail is a fantail endemic to the northern Philippines where it is found on the islands of Luzon and Catanduanes. Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the Tablas fantail and Visayan fantail.
The gray-backed tailorbird is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, it but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the islands of Luzon and Catanduanes.
The rufous-headed tailorbird is a species of bird in the family Cettiidae. It is found only in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao. Its natural habitats are in tropical moist montane forest.
The black-faced coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found in the islands of Mindanao, Basilan Dinagat Islands Bohol, Leyte, Biliran and Samar. It is a striking coucal with its cream head contrasted with a black mask and tail and chestnut wings. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest.
The black-hooded coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to Mindoro in the Philippines and is one of the most endangered birds in the country and is the only critically endangered coucal in the world. It is threatened by habitat loss and trapping.
The Philippine coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is an insectivore.
The scale-feathered malkoha is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is a spectacular looking bird with its white hood, red eyes and yellowish bill with a line of scaled feathers down from the bill and up over the crown, contrasted with rufous neck and back and a black lower body and tail. It is endemic to the Philippines found only in the islands of Luzon, Catanduanes and Marinduque. The species was named after the collector Hugh Cuming.
The rough-crested malkoha is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to Luzon Island in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is declining due to habitat loss and hunting.
The Black shama is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the island of Cebu, Philippines where it is known locally as "Siloy".
The blackish cuckooshrike or the blackish cicadabird or Luzon graybird, is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is endemic to the Philippines on the islands of Luzon, Catanduanes, Marinduque and Cebu where it is presumed extinct. Some taxonomists place this species in the genus Analisoma.Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest where it is believed to be declining due to habitat loss.
The blue-breasted blue flycatcher, also known as the blue-breasted flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only north and central parts of Luzon. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. The Rufous-breasted blue flycatcher was formerly considered to be a subspecies.
The pygmy flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
The furtive flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the island of Luzon.
The melodious babbler is a species of bird in the family Pellorneidae. It is endemic to the Philippines and found only on Palawan and Balabac.
The white-lored oriole is a species of bird in the family Oriolidae. It is endemic to Luzon island (Philippines). It was formerly conspecific with the Philippine oriole but has since been separated as its own species. It was also formerly theorized that the critically endangered Isabela oriole was this species until it was rediscovered and proven otherwise.
The green-backed whistler or olive-backed whistler, is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest.
The golden-crowned babbler is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only in the moist tropical forest in Northern Luzon. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The rufous paradise flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
The trilling tailorbird or green-backed tailorbird is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. The bird is endemic to the Philippines on the Northern side of the island of Luzon. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, tropical mangrove forests and secondary growth.
The rufous-breasted blue flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the Bicol Peninsula and Catanduanes. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the blue-breasted blue flycatcher. It is one of the most mysterious and least observed species with no known photos of any living bird.