Lesser Coucal
Lesser CoucalLesser CoucalLesser CoucalLesser Coucal

Lesser Coucal

Centropus bengalensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Chitwan National Park
361 Verified records at Chitwan National Park
August Best month highest sighting rate
🌅 Crepuscular When it's active at dawn and dusk

The lesser coucal (Centropus bengalensis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It has a wide distribution range that overlaps with several other similar species. The habitat in which it is found is often marshy land with grass and tree cover. It is distinguished by its smaller size, less prominent bill, pale shaft streaks on the feathers of the head and back. It has a much longer claw on its hind toe and a distinct call. It is also among the few coucals that show season plumage differences but like in other coucals, the sexes cannot be distinguished in the field. Wikipedia →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Coucal sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 361 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Chitwan National Park

Greater Coucal
LC

Greater Coucal

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Centropus sinensis

50–60% · Likely
Common Hawk-Cuckoo

Common Hawk-Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cuculus varius

20–30% · Possible
Asian Koel
LC

Asian Koel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eudynamys scolopaceus

10–20% · With luck
Indian Cuckoo
LC

Indian Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cuculus micropterus

5–10% · With luck
Common Cuckoo
LC

Common Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cuculus canorus

<5% · Rare
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
LC

Grey-bellied Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cacomantis passerinus

<5% · Rare
Jacobin Cuckoo
LC

Jacobin Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Clamator jacobinus

<5% · Rare
Banded Bay Cuckoo
LC

Banded Bay Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cacomantis sonneratii

<5% · Rare
Asian Drongo-Cuckoo
LC

Asian Drongo-Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Surniculus lugubris

<5% · Rare
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo
LC

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Clamator coromandus

<5% · Rare
Large Hawk Cuckoo

Large Hawk Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cuculus sparverioides

<5% · Rare
Himalayan Cuckoo
LC

Himalayan Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cuculus saturatus

<5% · Rare

📅 Monthly Probability

20–30
Jan
20–30
Feb
20–30
Mar
20–30
Apr
30–40
May
30–40
Jun
30–40
Jul
30–40
Aug
20–30
Sep
20–30
Oct
20–30
Nov
10–20
Dec

🌅 When They're Spotted

Most active at dawn and dusk · across all parks (global)

🌅Crepuscular
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Chitwan National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
20–30%
2 Cat Tien National Park 🇻🇳 Vietnam
10–20%
3 Kerinci Seblat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
10–20%
4 Kaziranga National Park 🇮🇳 India
10–20%
5 Way Kambas National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
10–20%
6 Royal Bardia National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
10–20%
7 Bali Barat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
5–10%
8 Royal Manas National Park 🇧🇹 Bhutan
<5%
9 Namdapha National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
10 Jim Corbett National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
11 Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary 🇲🇾 Malaysia
<5%
12 Kaeng Krachan National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
13 Khao Yai National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
14 Danum Valley Conservation Area 🇲🇾 Malaysia
<5%
15 Sundarbans National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
16 Doi Inthanon National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
17 Taroko National Park 🇹🇼 Taiwan
<5%
18 Jiuzhaigou National Park 🇨🇳 China
Insufficient data
19 Cuc Phuong National Park 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Insufficient data
20 Khao Sok National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
Insufficient data
21 Periyar National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
22 Kinabalu Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Coucal in Chitwan National Park?

About 24% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Coucal sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 361 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Lesser Coucal in Chitwan National Park?

August has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Coucal in Chitwan National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Chitwan National Park