Burchell's Coucal

Afrikaans name: Gewone Vleiloerie

Burchell's Coucal

Photo © Steven Herbert

Centropus burchellii

The Burchell's Coucal is a biggish bird which is around 40 cm in length. They weigh about 180 grams. Apparently females are slightly larger than males.

It is found along the coast from Cape to Kosi Bay. It is also found in the eastern and north-eastern region of the country.

This species preys on insects, small mammals such as mice and smaller birds. It occasionally eats fruit.

Although the Burchell's Coucal is related to the cuckoo it doesn't exhibit cuckoo breeding behaviour. It makes a nest and raises its own chicks.

Some people call this bird the 'rain bird' as they associate its call with the onset of rain.

The Burchell's Coucal may be seen sunning itself in the early morning. It perches in a bush with its back to the sun and spreads its wings slightly.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	356	Centropus superciliosus loandae
2nd	356	Centropus superciliosus
3rd	356	Centropus superciliosus
4th	356	Centropus superciliosus
5th	391	Centropus superciliosus
6th	391	Centropus burchellii
7th	131	Centropus burchellii

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	356	White-browed Coucal
2nd	356	Burchell's Coucal
3rd	356	White-browed Coucal
4th	356	White-browed Coucal
5th	391	Burchell’s Coucal
6th	391	Burchell’s Coucal
7th	131	Burchell’s Coucal

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	356	Bruinkop-vleiloerie
2nd	356	Vleiloerie
3rd	356	Vleiloerie
4th	356	Vleiloerie
5th	391	Gewone Vleiloerie
6th	391	Gewone Vleiloerie
7th	131	Gewone Vleiloerie

References and further reading

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 46

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 55

The Gardener - 2005/11 - Author: - Published: 2005 - Page: 92

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 384

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 167

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 24

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 145

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 240

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 232

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 337

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 341

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 189

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 245

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 253

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 214

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 40

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 64

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 55

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 214

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 162

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 181

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 62

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 154

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 104

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 42

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 40

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 119

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 128

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 68

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 144

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 102

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 110

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 84

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 110

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 154

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds