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Mating of the Greater Coucal

on 7th January 2011

“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

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. 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

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