Justification This species has a small population which is likely to be undergoing a rapid decline and severe fragmentation of range owing to habitat destruction and trapping. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable.

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1284

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 46 cm. Medium-large, marsh-dwelling coucal. Adult glossy black above with purplish gloss on mantle. Rufous wings with blackish tips to flight feathers and upperwing-coverts. Long black tail and purplish gloss to blackish underparts. Red iris, black bill and feet. Similar spp. Lesser Coucal C. bengalensis smaller, iris dark brown, duller rufous (including mantle), often streaked white. Greater Coucal C. sinensis larger, mantle also rufous. Voice Undocumented, but probably a series of hollow notes, like many congeners. Hints: Scan wetlands in early morning when this species perches on tops of reeds or bushes.

Range and population Centropus nigrorufus is endemic to Indonesia, where it occurs on Java, and possibly Sumatra (from where there is one specimen of doubtful origin and recent unconfirmed sight records). It is locally common, but rather sparsely distributed, although it may be under-recorded. It can still be found in suitable habitat right along the north Java coast, and is still found at Maura Angke which is completely surrounded by Jakarta1. The relatively high numbers on sale in markets and displayed in zoos (often exceeding C. sinensis) suggest it may be more common and well-distributed than records suggest.