28/09/2025
For avid safari-goers, the Burchell’s coucal may be a familiar sight. But for most, this bird remains the elusive voice of the bush — that bubbling, water-like call drifting across the dusk for years before the bird itself is finally seen.
Also known as the “rainbird,” Burchell’s coucal is often heard before a storm. Its deep, resonant call is said to signal rain on the way, a sound that has long woven itself into local folklore.
Unlike many birds, coucals are not strong fliers. They prefer to skulk low in the undergrowth, hopping between shrubs and reeds where their chestnut wings and streaked plumage help them blend in perfectly. They’re stealthy hunters too, feeding on insects, frogs, and even small birds.
So next time you’re out on safari, pause when you hear that bubbling call at dusk — you may just spot the elusive Burchell’s coucal, slipping through the grass like a secret of the wild.