A White-browed coucal with a striking red eye perched in an African thicket.
Cuckoo Friday
It’s a little cuckoo today—mostly because it’s Friday!
To celebrate the weekend, have a look at the White-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus). While they are indeed members of the cuckoo family, they have a personality all their own. Native to the lush thickets and tall grasses of eastern and southern Africa, these birds are famous for their clumsy, somewhat awkward flight patterns. Some might even say they fly a little “cuckoo”!
One of their most striking features is that piercing red eye. Up close, it can look a bit sinister, but it’s actually a brilliant adaptation for spotting movement in the dense undergrowth. Unlike many of their cuckoo cousins, coucals are industrious hunters, catching and eating a variety of insects and small creatures.
Who's Coming on Safari in 2027?
There is nothing like spotting a flash of chestnut wings and a bright red eye in the African bush. If you're ready for an adventure that’s anything but ordinary, go wild with us on safari next year!
Discover our future travel offerings at the link here: Find your Trip.
To read more about the coucal, see our post: Dinner in One Gulp: A White-browed Coucal’s Surprise Catch