coucal

[ koo-kuhl ]

noun

1. any of several Old World cuckoos of the genus Centropus, having harsh-textured plumage and a long, daggerlike hind claw.

coucal

/ ˈkuːkæl; -kəl /

noun

1. any ground-living bird of the genus Centropus, of Africa, S Asia, and Australia, having long strong legs: family Cuculidae (cuckoos)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coucal¹

1805–15; < French, said to be equivalent to couc ( ou ) cuckoo + al ( ouette ) lark

Word History and Origins

Origin of coucal¹

C19: from French, perhaps from couc ( ou ) cuckoo + al ( ouette ) lark

Example Sentences

We also spotted purple swamp hens and rusty-black coucals, whose eerie lowing seemed to surround us.

From BBC

The finding of a coucal at the Cocoa Research Station on May 15, 1963, came as something of a surprise, since none had been seen there earlier by our group.

From Project Gutenberg

The call of this bird, which continues later in the year than that of the common cuckoo, is not unlike the whoot-whoot-whoot of the crow-pheasant or coucal.

From Project Gutenberg

The nest of the crow-pheasant or coucal is a massive structure, globular in shape, with the entrance at one side.

From Project Gutenberg