The Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis) is a large, terrestrial species of cuckoo endemic to the forests of Sumatra in Indonesia.[3] It was first described in 1879[2] and, despite being identified as a separate species in the 1880s,[4] was formerly considered conspecific with the Bornean ground cuckoo until recently being returned to the status of a unique species.[5] Considered a critically endangered species by the IUCN Red List, it was initially known from just eight specimens and evaded notice from 1916 until 1997, when it was rediscovered and photographed.[6] The Sumatran ground cuckoo's diet is thought to consist of invertebrates, small mammals, and reptiles.[7]
The Sumatran ground cuckoo is a large bird of about 55cm (22in) in length.[1] Its wings and long, full tail are glossy greenish-black, while its mantle, upper back, neck sides, lower throat, upper breast, covert feathers, and secondary feathers are dull green.[1] Its crown is black, and the bare skin around its eyes are hues of green, lilac, and blue.[1] Its bill and legs are green, and its underparts below the upper breast are cinnamon buff.[1]BirdLife International describes its voice as follows: "Repeated low whistles (falling then rising in tone: WE-ow-WE), plus issued in a rising series (we-ow-we, we-ow-we, we-ow-we, we-ow-we; each phrase slightly higher than last)."[1]
Distribution and habitat
The Sumatran ground cuckoo is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.[8] Notes on early specimen labels as well as recent sightings suggest its favoured habitat is foothills and primary montane forest.[9][7] It has been found between elevations of 300 and 1,400m (975 and 4,600ft), although recent sightings are exclusively from 800–1,000m (2,600–3,300ft).[10][1] Its small population makes it difficult to find, and like the Bornean ground cuckoo, it may exhibit unobtrusive behavior – making sightings even more rare.[8]
Due to ongoing habitat loss and small population size, the IUCN Red List evaluates the Sumatran ground cuckoo as critically endangered.[1][13] The Red List estimates that the total population of Sumatran ground cuckoos ranges from 50 to 249 mature individuals, and its population is thought to be decreasing.[9] The bird's known range overlaps with some of the Barisan Mountains' 20 protected areas,[6][9] but rapid deforestation – its main threat – is prevalent even in these areas.[9][14] A 2003 study showed an average 2% loss of forest within Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, part of its known range,[8] between 1985 and 1999.[15] This deforestation is caused predominantly by logging, palm oil plantations, pulpwood plantations, establishment of farms, and wildfires.[16] As the Sumatran ground cuckoo prefers primary forest with dense undergrowth,[9] reforestation is unlikely to be as effective as protective measures for currently existing habitat.[citation needed] The species likely benefits from protected areas, but its conservation needs are not fully understood due to a lack of study.[17]
↑ Payne, Robert B.; Sharpe, Chris (2020). "Sumatran Ground-cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis)". In Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.sugcuc1.01. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
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