FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus), also known as the lark heeled cuckoo or water bottle bird, is a large bird native to eastern and southern Africa. Belonging to the cuckoo family of birds, they are known for their loud and distinctive call which can be heard from miles away. With its broad tail and long tail feathers, it is easily identified in its natural habitat. The diet of this spectacular bird consists mainly of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and termites. However, they will also sometimes scavenge small mammals such as bats or rodents.
There are more than 170 species of cuckoos and coucals in the world. These birds are found in many different habitats, from rainforest to the desert, and the plains of southern Africa to the European countryside. This bird is native to eastern and southern Africa, as well as southwestern Arabia. It’s a non-migratory bird that prefers dry habitats like savanna and grassland.
To learn more about white-browed coucal habitat, call, its diet, eggs, young ones, reproduction, and more, keep on reading.
For more such facts on other striking species, check out lesser coucal facts and greater coucal facts.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) is a species of bird from the Cuculidae family.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) belongs to the class of Aves.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) is frequently seen in their habitat range. However, their exact population size is not yet estimated.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) or water bottle bird is a type of bird found in many parts of the world. These birds are mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been spotted in Asia, southern Africa, and Australia. Its distribution range includes Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It's found in the tropical and subtropical regions of southern Africa, mainly south of the equator, but also as far north as Ethiopia.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) lives in broadleaved forests, rainforests, plantations, orchards, and gardens. In the wild, this species lives in forests and woodlands. This bird lives in forest margins, thickets, grasslands, open scrub, and plantations. They live in a variety of habitats from coastal areas to up to 14763 ft (4500 m) in elevation.
The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) is a species of a solitary bird outside of its breeding season. However, not much data is available on their behavior.
According to the very little data that is available, they can live for up to 14 years.
This species breeds throughout the year but mostly during the wet season. Breeding occurs from March to June in Ethiopia and April to July in Ngong areas with three to five eggs laid in their own nests. However, cuckoos are believed to be parasitic as lay their eggs in natural tree cavities or some old woodpecker holes. However, this coucal is a non-parasitic bird. It builds its nest in trees or shrubs with an open canopy. The average clutch size for this species is about three to five eggs that are incubated for 19 days. The white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) is a shy bird but males will sing out loud to attract females during mating season. The male birds hold the responsibility of constructing the nests and incubation is done by both the male and female birds.
As their global population is steady and not declining, these birds are a species of Least Concern, according to the IUCN Red List. They are quite widespread in their range.
The white-browed coucal is a large cuckoo-like bird found in sub-Saharan Africa with a long tail. It is about the same size as a crow and has an upright posture. Both the sexes appear to be similar. The adult birds have a dark black-brown crown and rufous dark plumage. They have a white supercilium, chestnut wings, a black long tail with streaks of green and the tail is white at tips. These birds have beige or creamy white underparts, dark rump, red eyes, feet, and legs are grayish-black and a black bill. Their distinctive white brows are responsible for the context behind their name.
The young ones have streaks of rufous on their crown and bare upper parts. Moreover, the young chicks have dark upper parts and a faint beige supercilium.
These birds are cute medium-sized birds with a fluffy texture, complimenting coloration, and they really are quite cute. Although they are very rarely seen because they are sneaky and shy birds.
These birds have a myriad of calls, with one being the 'bubbling' call. Their call sounds like water running or pouring from a bottle. This is the interesting reason as to why they are called 'the water bottle bird'. Belonging to the cuckoo family of birds, they are known for their loud and distinctive call which can be heard from miles away. During their breeding season, these birds make a harmonious call to lure the female birds.
This bird is 14-17 in (36-42 cm) in size as they are medium-sized birds. They are bigger than a palm warbler.
Their flight speed is unknown, however, they travel long distances.
These birds weigh somewhere between 5-6 oz (150-175 g).
As male and female birds are called cocks and hens respectively, white-browed coucals can be referred to as the same.
A baby white-browed coucal is called a chick.
These species feed on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and termites, bats, fruit, nectar, and plant matter. They also feed on lizards. Their diet depends on availability and may vary.
No, they are not dangerous. They do not cause any harm to humans.
No, they are very shy and sedentary birds. It is inadvisable to cage them.
As these species are called 'water bottle birds' due to their unique call, they are believed to indicate impending rainfall in their habitat.
There are more than 25 subspecies of coucal in the genus, Centropus. Burchell's coucal (Centropus burchellii) is a southern subspecies that belongs to the same family, Cuculidae. There are over 27 subspecies in the genus which are all mostly found in tropical, or thickly vegetated areas.
They are called so, because of their distinctive white brows.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our Diederik cuckoo facts and black cuckoo facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable bird coloring pages.
Main image by Adrian Valenzuela.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.