Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Centropus colossus

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Class
  
Aves

Family
  
Cuculidae

Rank
  
Species

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Cuculiformes

Subfamily
  
Centropodinae

Similar
  
Barawertornis, Violaceous coucal, Kai coucal, Black‑billed coucal, White‑necked coucal

Centropus colossus is an extinct species of coucal from the Late Pleistocene of Australia. It was described from submerged subfossil material (a slightly damaged left humerus) collected in 1979 from the Green Waterhole Cave of south-eastern South Australia. Characteristics of the holotype specimen indicate that the bird was either flightless or, at least, had reduced flight capability. It was larger than any of its living congeners and was one of the largest cuckoos in the world. The specific epithet, the Latin colossus, refers to its great size.

References

Centropus colossus Wikipedia