NEUMANN'S COUCAL Centropus leucogaster neumanni

Adult & immature.

This species has been given specific status by Michel Louette in 1986, but might be a subspecies of Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster, which is found in west Africa from Guinea-Bissau to Gabon.

The Neumann's Coucal is found in the northern and north-eastern Congo.

The Neumann's Coucal is found alone or in pairs in lowland forest, difficult to observe due to its shyness and skulking habits. Normally not found inside the forest, but in secondary growth, cleared area and rank grass. Fairly easy located by its call.

I have personally seen the Neumann's Coucal once near Epulu, in the Ituri Forest, where it should be fairly common, but this is the only record for the Okapi Wildlife Refuge. It was seen by the main road towards Nia-Nia and Kisangani, flying into the forest.

A big thanks to "The Birds of Africa, vol. 1 - 5 (Keith, Urban & Fry)" and especially the superb artist Martin Woodcock, for the use of  their drawings on the above page.