THE Burchell’s coucal is often referred to as the rain bird due to it calling before, during and after rain.
It sounds like water bubbling out of a narrow-necked bottle, with a series of rapid, mellow hooting notes ‘du – du du – du – du’ up to 17 times, first falling in pitch and then rising near the end.
It is a common resident found in riverine and coastal bush and rank growth around streams, marshes, reedbeds and parks.
It is usually solitary or is found in pairs and skulks in dense vegetation. It is seldom seen, unless it is flying across an open space or perched on top of a bush or post. The Burchell’s coucal likes to dry or sun its plumage (as it is in the adjacent photo). Its flight is heavy with a glide into cover.
This bird is vocal when breeding, even if on moonlit nights.
It forages in vegetation or on the ground, and runs well. Partly crepuscular, it feeds on insects, small frogs, reptiles and nestling birds up to the size of a dove, as well as mammals and snails.
The nest is a large, untidy hollow ball of grass, twigs, leaves and roots lined with leaves and grass located some five to 10 metres above the ground in matted thornbush.
It usually lays four eggs and incubation lasts on average 16 days. The young birds are nestlings for about 18 to 20 days but do not fly until a few days later.
Its Zulu name is umGugwane or uFukwe.
