The black-hooded coucal is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to Mindoro in the Philippines and is one of the most endangered birds in the country and is the only critically endangered coucal in the world. It is threatened by habitat loss and trapping.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Restricted to Mindoro, where it inhabits dense lowland and foothill forests, secondary growth, and thickets along forest edges and riverine areas. It prefers tangled understory, bamboo clumps, and vine-laden scrub where it can move quietly and forage near the ground. It may persist in degraded habitats if sufficient cover remains, but it is most closely tied to remaining lowland forest patches. Habitat loss from logging and conversion to agriculture severely limits its range.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive coucal is endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines and is among the country’s most threatened birds. It favors dense lowland vegetation, making it hard to detect, and is impacted by logging, agriculture, and trapping. It is the only coucal regarded as Critically Endangered. The species name honors American naturalist Joseph Beal Steere.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by low glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, moving quietly through dense cover near the ground. Builds a domed nest of leaves and stems concealed in thick vegetation. Both sexes are thought to share nesting duties, with the nest placed low in shrubs or thickets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a series of low booming notes and hollow cooing phrases, often delivered from hidden perches. Pairs may duet with resonant, repetitive calls that carry through dense vegetation.
