About
This large, dark cuckoo is critically endangered and now has a very limited range and severely fragmented population, surviving in tiny pockets of remaining primary forest.
Since 1980, this species has been confirmed in only three small patches of primary forest, on which conservation efforts are now focused. Unfortunately all of these sites are under pressure from logging and clearance for agriculture. The largest of these sites is Mount Siburan, which has been designated as an Important Bird Area. Campaigners are working hard to elevate the status of this site to Municipal Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, thus affording it more protection. Monitoring stations and a team of local people and government representatives have been established to protect the area. The strengthening of protection around other sites of confirmed and potential habitat for the species is essential. Many species of Coucal have a long, almost dagger-like hind claw. However, for reasons unknown, this exaggerated claw is lacking in the Black-hooded Coucal.
- Order: Cuculiformes
- Family: Cuculidae
- Population: 70-400
- Trend: decreasing
- Size: 46 cm
EDGE Score
Distribution
Endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. Since the 1980s, it has been recorded at three localities: Mount Siburan, Puerto Galera, Malpalon and Mt Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary (in 2013).
Habitat and Ecology
This species has been recorded in primary lowland forest, and occasionally secondary forest, typically below 750m in altitude. It prefers dense vegetation such as tangled vines and rattan. They feed on large insects, though very little is known about their ecology.