小鸦鹃 Lesser Coucal
Centropus bengalensis

中型鸟类
体长 31~42 cm

虹膜 /iris

红褐色 /reddish-brown

嘴 /bill

黑色 /black

脚 /legs and feet

黑色 /black

目 │ 鹃形目CUCULIFORMES 科 │ 杜鹃科Cuculidae

野外识别 │ 头、背、腹和尾黑色，具深蓝色光泽和亮黑色羽干纹；肩及两翅栗色，具绿色金属光泽和窄的白色尖端。亚成鸟的黑色则由淡栗色代替，两翅具横纹。鸣声为“ tok-a-lok ”声。

居留及分布 │ 广泛分布于亚洲南部、亚洲东部和亚洲东南部，国内南方地区分布广泛。在南岭为留鸟。大顶山、龙潭角和乳阳有记录。

生境及习性 │ 栖息于低山丘陵和开阔的山脚平原地带的灌丛、草丛、果园和次生林中。性机警，常单独或成对活动。主要以昆虫为食，也吃少量植物的果实和种子。繁殖期 3—8 月。营巢于茂密灌丛、矮竹丛和其他植物丛中。窝卵数 3~5 枚，卵白色、无斑点。

Field identification │ Similar to Greater Coucal but smaller, less robust and shorter-tailed,and with chestnut (not black) underwing coverts. Winter-plumaged adults have extensive pale straw-coloured streaking on the head, neck, mantle and upper breast. The call is a hollow tok-a-lok.

Distribution & status │ Very widely distributed from S Asia and Indochina east to eastern China and south to Sumatra, Borneo, Java and the Philippines, and resident throughout, with some local movements. The subspecies lignator occurs in parts of southern, central and eastern China including Guangdong. In Nanling, it is uncommon, recorded at Dadingshan, Longtanjiao and Ruyang.

Habitat & habits │ Lesser Coucals occur singly or in pairs on dry grassy hillsides and farmland edge, where they feed on insects, fruits and seeds. They nest in Guangdong from May to August in dense shrubs, dwarf bamboos and other vegetation.