Lesser Coucal - photograph © Rajiv Lather

Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis) is a rare resident in Haryana. This bird is found in areas of tall grass along the wetlands. The above photograph by Rajiv Lather taken on April 14, 2005 near Indri (Karnal) is the first reported sighting of Lesser Coucal in Haryana and surrounding areas. In the field it is very difficult  to differentiate Lesser Coucal from its bigger cousin, the Greater Coucal.   Lesser Coucal's in courtship display

Order: CUCULIFORMES    Family: Centropodidae    Size: 38 cm    Food: Insects, caterpillars, frogs, lizards

Lesser Coucal - photograph © Rajiv Lather (Indri, 2 July, 2005)