Burchell's Coucal

I've subsequently learned that this bird below is a Senegal coucal, not a Burchell's coucal. Rather than change this post, which would change the indexing, I've done a new post discussing the reasons for the change, posted September 13, 2025, which references this post. 

Burchell's coucal is sometimes known as the rainbird because it calls when it rains. I've read the call described as the sound of "water pouring from a bottle," "water being poured from a narrow-necked bottle," a "cascade of bubbling notes" and a "liquid note." It has also been called "haunting" which I think is closer to the mark. Hear it here. 

Burchell's coucal.

It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has red eyes, a chestnut back and wings, pale underparts, a black head and a long black tail. 

Males and females look similar. We saw them in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.