coucal

[ koo-kuh l ]

/ ˈku kəl /

any of several Old World cuckoos of the genus Centropus, having harsh-textured plumage and a long, daggerlike hind claw.

Origin of coucal

1805–15; < French, said to be equivalent to couc(ou) cuckoo + al(ouette) lark

But the sight of an insect on the lawn causes the coucal to throw dignity to the winds.

Glimpses of Indian Birds |Douglas Dewar
Unfortunately for the peace of mankind the coucal is not the only cuckoo that lifts up its voice in the night.

Glimpses of Indian Birds |Douglas Dewar
The nest of the crow-pheasant or coucal is a massive structure, globular in shape, with the entrance at one side.

A Bird Calendar for Northern India |Douglas Dewar
I have never actually observed it pick anything off a leaf, for the coucal is of a retiring disposition.

Jungle Folk |Douglas Dewar

But for the fact that the brown wings do not match well with the rest of the plumage, I should call the coucal a handsome bird.

Jungle Folk |Douglas Dewar

coucal

/ (ˈkuːkæl, -kəl) /

any ground-living bird of the genus Centropus, of Africa, S Asia, and Australia, having long strong legs: family Cuculidae (cuckoos)

C19: from French, perhaps from couc ( ou) cuckoo + al ( ouette) lark