Burchell’s Coucal

Common, near-endemic resident. Adult slightly larger than [Senegal Coucal] with finely barred upper tail coverts, otherwise closely similar. Their ranges do not overlap. Fledgling has a small whitish eyebrow cf. [White-browed Coucal], fine whitish streaking on the head and dark barring on the upper parts; eyes blue-grey, not crimson. Occurs singly or in pairs in reeds, dense riparian and bushveld thickets, tall rank grass and well-wooded suburbia. Mostly secretive but will sometimes perch conspicuously. Spends much time running on the ground with a hunched back or clambering around in dense grass and shrubs.