Green-billed Coucal

The green-billed coucal is a cuckoo endemic to the tall rainforests of southwest Sri Lanka, where it nests in bushes and typically lays two or three eggs. It is 43 cm long, with a purple-black head and body, maroon wings that are black beneath, a long dark green tail and a distinctive light green bill. It is somewhat smaller and less contrasted than the greater coucal (Wikipedia, species account).

It is hard to see because of its dense habitat and retiring nature, despite its size and distinctive call. It feeds on insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates, with snails a favourite. In Sinhala it is called bata atti-kukula. Nationally Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012, listed as Centropus chlororhynchus).