---
title: "Lesser Coucal"
description: "Centropus bengalensis — Uccelli. The lesser coucal (Centropus bengalensis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/lesser-coucal
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Lesser Coucal

> Centropus bengalensis — Uccelli. The lesser coucal (Centropus bengalensis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.

- Scientific name: *Centropus bengalensis*
- Category: `birds` (Uccelli)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Laghi e fiumi)
- iNaturalist observations: 2101
- Wikidata: [Q653049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q653049)
- iNaturalist taxon: [1644](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1644)

## Names

- en: Lesser Coucal
- de: Bengalenkuckuck
- es: Cucal Bengalí
- fr: Coucal rufin
- nl: Bengaalse spoorkoekoek
- pl: Kukal bengalski

## Countries with the most observations

TW (451), ID (386), IN (190), TH (156), SG (143), CN (132), MY (130), HK (49), PH (41), VN (41), NP (32), BD (13)

## Summary

The lesser coucal (Centropus bengalensis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It has a wide distribution range that overlaps with several other similar species. The habitat in which it is found is often marshy land with grass and tree cover. It is distinguished by its smaller size, less prominent bill, pale shaft streaks on the feathers of the head and back. It has a much longer claw on its hind toe and a distinct call. It is also among the few coucals that show season plumage differences but like in other coucals, the sexes cannot be distinguished in the field.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_coucal

## Photo

![Lesser Coucal](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/lesser-coucal/medium.jpg)

Photo: Stephen Matthews · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194349663

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/lesser-coucal?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).