“There are a number of Greater Coucals (Centropus sinensis) residing in our 350 acre campus and when not seen, their loud ‘oop’ calls can be heard.
“On this occasion, I noticed two coucals calling to each other in low tones in the undergrowth with uncharacteristic sounds including mewing sounds (like kittens). After a few minutes, the male flew into a tree and kept calling and the female then flew into a neighboring tree. They then joined each other and mated on a branch (above). This involved a lot of effort and caused some tail feathers to break. When completed, the female kicked the male off her back (left). I wished I had my new Nikon D300s with me so that I could have videotaped the encounter.”
Dr Vijay Anand Ismavel
Makunda Christian Hospital Campus
South Assam, India
2nd August 2010
Thong Chow Ngian
Dr Vijay
Thanks for your article on coucals. I have always wondered what bird makes the mewing sound, sometime like a baby crying, which I have heard before several times, in an open grassland area at Tampines Bike park, Singapore but could not identify the bird. I have spoteed on many occasions the Lesser Coucals in this place but have not heard them making this sound. Now I know thanks to you. Cheers