The Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo: An Overview

What is the Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo?

The Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo (Carpococcyx renauldi) is a large, terrestrial bird in the cuckoo family Cuculidae. It is known for its striking coral‑red or coral‑colored bill, from which its common English name derives. It is also sometimes called Renauld’s ground cuckoo.

The species has distinctive physical traits: glossy violet‑black plumage, ground‑dwelling habits, and a large size for a cuckoo. Wikipedia+2thewebsiteofeverything.com+2

Taxonomy, Discovery, and Naming

• Scientific name: Carpococcyx renauldi Wikipedia+2Thai National Parks+2
• Authority: The species was first described by the French zoologist Émile Oustalet in 1896. Thai National Parks+2Wikipedia+2
• The genus Carpococcyx includes other ground cuckoos, but C. renauldi is distinguished by its coral‑red bill. Thai National Parks+2Wikipedia+2

Geographic Distribution: Where Are They Found?

The Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo is native to Southeast Asia, primarily in four countries:

• Cambodia Wikipedia+2Thai National Parks+2
• Laos Wikipedia+2thewebsiteofeverything.com+2
• Thailand Thai National Parks+2Wikipedia+2
• Vietnam Wikipedia+2Thai National Parks+2

Its habitat is tropical moist lowland forest, where it spends most of its time on the ground rather than in the canopy. Wikipedia+1

Abundance: Where Is It Most Common?

• Within its range, the Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo is rarely observed, partly because of its secretive, ground‑dwelling habits and dense forest habitat. Thai National Parks+2Wikipedia+2
• Some protected areas in Thailand (e.g. Khao Yai National Park) have recorded the species with higher reliability. BioOne+3Thai National Parks+3thewebsiteofeverything.com+3
• It is not globally abundant; its population is fragmented and under pressure from habitat loss. As of recent assessments, its conservation status is Least Concern under IUCN criteria, but with concerns in certain parts of its range. Thai National Parks+1

Ecological Importance and Roles

The Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo plays several ecological roles:

1. Predator of small animals: Its diet includes insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates (such as frogs, lizards, nestlings of other birds), earthworms, etc. These help in controlling prey populations in the forest floor ecosystem. BioOne+1
2. Part of forest nutrient cycles: By foraging on the ground and consuming a variety of prey, the species contributes to the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Also, its nesting behavior influences forest understorey structure. Though less well studied, nest predation and nesting materials interact with other species in complex ways. BioOne+1
3. Indicator species: Because it requires intact forest habitat (especially moist lowland forests), the presence (or absence) of Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo can signal forest health. It is sensitive to deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Thai National Parks+1
4. Biodiversity component: It adds to the richness of avian fauna in Southeast Asia, contributing to global biodiversity. Each such species helps maintain the resilience of the ecosystem.

Conservation Concerns and Importance to Earth’s Environment

• Habitat loss is the biggest threat: Lowland tropical forests in Southeast Asia are under pressure from logging, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and land conversion. These reduce available habitat and fragment populations. Thai National Parks+1
• Nest predation: Observational studies have shown that nests suffer from predation by mammals like macaques, as well as other predators. This can reduce reproductive success. BioOne
• Limited knowledge: There are still gaps in understanding its full ecology — breeding habits, migration (if any), exact population numbers in many areas. These gaps make conservation planning more difficult.

Despite these challenges, the Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo remains a valued component of its ecosystems. Protecting species like this helps preserve the complexity of forest ecosystems, which have many downstream benefits:

• Carbon sequestration: Healthy forests store carbon, mitigating climate change.
• Water cycle regulation: Intact forest ecosystems help regulate rainfall, maintain soil moisture, reduce erosion.
• Biodiversity preservation: Many other species depend on intact forest floors, and losing one species often signals broader ecosystem degradation.

Summary

The Coral‑billed Ground Cuckoo (Carpococcyx renauldi) is a distinctive large, ground‑dwelling cuckoo found in Southeast Asia’s moist lowland forests. First formally described in 1896 by Émile Oustalet, it is located in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Though not globally abundant, it survives in patches of suitable habitat, particularly in conserved forests. Its ecological role includes predator of small animals, participant in nutrient flows, and an indicator of forest health. Protecting it is important not only for the species itself, but for maintaining ecosystem integrity with all the services forests provide to the Earth and humans.

🔍 Sources and References

1. BirdLife International / IUCN Red List
   Species factsheet: Carpococcyx renauldi
   https://www.iucnredlist.org/
   (Search: “Carpococcyx renauldi”) – For conservation status, population threats, and range.
2. Wikipedia – Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral-billed_ground_cuckoo
   (For general species overview, physical description, habitat, and behavior.)
3. Thai National Parks: Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo Profile
   https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/coral-billed-ground-cuckoo
   (For species identification, distribution in Thailand, and observations in protected areas.)
4. eBird – Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo Observations
   https://ebird.org/species/cbgcuc1
   (For birdwatcher sightings, range maps, and photographs.)
5. BioOne Journals (The Wilson Journal of Ornithology)
• Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua, Wichan Nualchawee & Robert C. Tizard (2010)
  "Observations and Predation of a Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo Nest in Thailand"
  https://bioone.org
  (For research on breeding behavior and predation.)
6. International Ornithologists’ Union – World Bird List
   https://www.worldbirdnames.com/bird/coral-billed-ground-cuckoo/2985.html
   (For taxonomy, naming authority, and classification.)