PhotoFeed Contest - Wildlife Photography Round 136 ~ Coot

Hello Hivers...

This post is my entry for the Cityscape Photography Contest hosted by @photofeed. If you'd like to participate, please read the rules here

The bird shown in the photo I'm sharing is a coucal, a species of the Cuculidae family found widely in Asia, including Indonesia. This bird is often known as the Javan coucal or greater coucal in English.

The Javan lark has a striking appearance. Its body is jet black with a bluish sheen on its head, neck, and chest, while its wings are reddish brown. Its eyes are bright red, adding to its fierce and mysterious appearance. This bird also has a long, black tail, making it even more recognizable.

The Javan lark is commonly found in secondary forests, scrublands, rice fields, and gardens near residential areas. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and are often seen perched in trees or low bushes.

As a carnivorous bird, the Javan lark preys on various insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and other small animals like frogs, geckos, and even small snakes. In this photo, the Javan lark is seen carrying prey in its beak. This demonstrates its role as a natural predator, helping control pest populations.

The Javan lark is known for its distinctive deep, repetitive call, often sounding like a "hoop-hoop-hoop" that echoes through the forest or rice fields. This call is usually heard in the morning or evening. Despite being a member of the cucak (crocus) family, the long-tailed shrike does not lay its eggs in other birds' nests but instead builds its own nest in bushes or low trees.

The long-tailed shrike is not only physically beautiful but also plays a vital role in the ecosystem. As an insectivore, it helps maintain the balance of nature. Its distinctive call and exotic appearance make it a fascinating wild bird to study and preserve.