The Crow Pheasant: Bringer of Auspicious Omens
In my small garden in Kechara Forest Retreat, on the roof of the newly built dog kennel landed a very unusual bird. I can see it clearly from my window. It is around 20-25 inches. All black except for two light brown wings. He has a long feathered tail and long beak. He is quiet and calm.
At first glance he looks like a crow/eagle/raven with a long tail. He has a very long black tail which is not that of a raven or crow or eagle. Pastor Seng Piow said he has never seen a bird like this in Malaysia. I had a picture taken from my window for you to see.
Tsem Rinpoche
Introduction
A series of deep, resonant calls pierce through the hum of the jungle. The pulses of sound are close together and you could almost visualise them emanating from the horn of an African tribesman. But we are far from that continent; this cry is native to India and Southeast Asia.
It comes from the throat of the Crow Pheasant or Greater Coucal, the Bringer of Auspicious Omens.
The distinctive call has long been considered a harbinger of good fortune in the region. You do not have to trek into the jungle to hear it; the bird is a frequent visitor to urban gardens, too.
Description
The Crow Pheasant is a large bird that can measure up to 50 cm from head to tail.
By appearance, it resembles a crow but swaps the black monotone for copper-coloured wings and an underside tinged with purple. It can also be distinguished by its ruby-red eyes and longer tail. Juveniles have a duller black body, with spots on the crown and white bars on the underside and tail.
The Greater Coucal is a member of the avian cuckoo order. However, it does not share the notorious cuckoo practice of laying its eggs in other birds’ nests. It is a weak flier and can often be found scavenging the ground for food.
Diet
Crow Pheasants are omnivorous and their diet is composed of a wide variety of animals and plants.
They are known to feed on insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. Birds’ eggs, nestlings and seeds fall prey to their eclectic palate, too. Even saw-scaled vipers and the toxic fruit of the Yellow Oleander are not spared. In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the species prefers to feed on snails.
Breeding
As with most birds which occupy a large geographical area, the breeding season of the Crow Pheasant varies by region. It usually falls in the period between June and September but can be slightly later in Southern India. Greater Coucals are monogamous. A male courts a potential partner by presenting her with gifts of food. If the female accepts, she lowers her tail and droops her wings.
The male builds a nest that looks like a deep, domed cup out of tangled creepers and bamboo clumps. The female also helps and the process takes between three to eight days. After the eggs have been laid, they take about fifteen days to hatch. The nestlings fledge in about three weeks.
Popular Culture
The Greater Coucal is associated with many superstitions and beliefs. Its deep calls are dissimilar to the calls typically associated with the bird family, which are higher in pitch. This is the basis of its association with spirits and omens.
In British India, it was noted that newcomers to the country often mistook it for a pheasant. However, the flesh was described as “evil-flavoured”, earning it the nickname of ‘Griff’s pheasant’.
In traditional native medicine, on the other hand, the flesh of the Greater Coucal is eaten as a cure for tuberculosis and pulmonary ailments.
It is not just the bird itself but also its nest that is associated with healing.
Practitioners of traditional medicine believe that the Greater Coucal uses a special grass or root with magical healing properties to make its nest. This material is indistinguishable to humans.
The only way to identify it is to throw the entire nest into a river – the special grass apparently disentangles itself and moves against the flow of water!
Another belief is that the bird is able to identify a very rare root which has the ability to destroy the strongest metals with a mere touch.
The Greater Coucal has found a permanent place in Indian mythology, too. It is the bird of good fortune spoken of in the tale of Krishna and Sudaama.
It is for these reasons that sighting the bird is considered a good omen in itself. This multi-faceted association with positivity is arguably why the Greater Coucal remains protected in its natural habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rare sighting and intriguing call of the Greater Coucal piques the interest of Malaysians. Here, we address the three most popular questions about the Bringer of Auspicious Omens.
Is the Greater Coucal a Malaysian bird?
The Greater Coucal is native to a vast region that stretches from Eastern India to the Southern part of China, all the way down to the Malaysian Peninsula and Indonesia.
In Malaysia, you are most likely to find a Greater Coucal around the edges of forests and mangrove forests or near cultivated areas, oil palm plantations and waterways. They often stand on the tips of tall grasses or on low shrubs.
Is it easy to spot?
While the Greater Coucal is quite common in Malaysia, it is not particularly easy to spot. You are much more likely to hear its call than glimpse the creature itself.
The Greater Coucal has a ritual of basking in the sun so the best time to see one is in the early morning.
Is it a good flier?
The Greater Coucal is a terrestrial bird which prefers walking to flying. It usually resorts to aerial flight when it perceives danger.
More Interesting Information
#1
The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is associated with many superstitions and beliefs. It has a deep call that is often associated with spirits and omens. But in a family of shrill-call cuckoos, the crow pheasant provides bass relief if we may say so!
This is a large black bird, the size of a crow, that has copper coloured wings. Like the Asian Koel, it has ruby red eyes that add to its mysterious quality. Folklore exists galore about this bird ranging from its flesh having curative properties against tuberculosis and lung ailments to its nest having a special life-giving grass. It is believed that when the nest is cast in a river the special grass in it would separate out by flowing against the stream! No wonder it has a host of local names!
Some of the local names include:
- Hindi: Mahoka
- Punjabi: Kamadi kukkar
- Bengali: Kubo
- Assamese: Kukoo sorai, Kukuha sorai, Dabahi kukuha
- Cachar: Dao di dai
- Manipuri: Nongkoubi
- Gujarati: Hokko, Ghoyaro, Ghumkiyo
- Kutch: Hooka
- Marathi: Bharadwaj, Kumbhar kaola, Kukkudkumbha, Sonkawla
- Oriya: Dahuka
- Tamil: Kalli kaka, Chembakam
- Telugu: Jemudu kaki, Chemara, Mahoka kaki, Samba kaki
- Malayalam: Uppan, Chemboth
- Kannada: Kembootha
- Sinhalese: Atti kukkula, Bu kukkula
The bird is a weak flier and is often spotted on the ground, clambering shrubs and bushes and foraging for insects, nestlings of other birds and eggs. It is also known to hunt down snakes and consume snails too. The best time to spot this bird is in the early morning when it sunbathes. The rest of the time, it seems to hide.
Unlike the other cuckoo species, it builds its own nest as a deep, domed cup inside the tangles of creepers, vines and bamboo shoots.
With that, we complete another fulfilling walk. We have made three new friends today and more await us soon from the holy hamlet of Puttaparthi! Sairam.
Source: http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_09/01SEPT11/05_bird5.htm
#2
Last weekend a friend texted me wanting to know if I knew the English name of a bird that was called chemboth in Malayalam. It is a lovely bird, the friend said. And I knew exactly what he meant for the chemboth or crow pheasant is truly an elegant bird. With a black body and deep brown wings, the crow pheasant flying from shrub to shrub is a sight that has always given me pleasure.
In some parts of Kerala, the sighting of a chemboth is considered a good omen. Perhaps it is drawn from folklore that ascribes divine healing powers to the chemboth. Folklore claims that it alone has knowledge of a root that can cure all ailments and the whereabouts of yet another secret root that will disintegrate even iron by mere contact. Ever since I heard this as a child, I have always perked my ears when I have heard its call. Unlike the raucous caw of the crow or the hysterical tittering of the mynah or the screech of parakeets, the crow pheasant has a long, hollow and powerful cry which flows into a series of notes; the effect is pure music.
Everything about this bird pleases me so to hear its call resound through the neighbourhood comforts me to no end. On a particular morning as I dragged my feet weighed down by the melancholy of my thoughts, the low powerful call throbbed through the mango trees. A chemboth glided and landed a few yards in front of me. I paused not wanting to scare it. It strutted a few steps and stopped.
I followed. And so it went until the end of the road. Then it gave me a backward glance and disappeared into the dense branches of a mango tree. Bird watchers will tell you that the chemboth is a slow bird and this is its natural gait.
But I prefer to think of this as a mystical experience. As tribes adopt totemic birds, in my mind the chemboth had always been a totem. The sighting of which always filled me with a sense of hope. In that bleak moment, my totem had come for me. It made no promises really. Totems are not expected to. They are not miracle workers after all. It laid no expectations on its trail. But it did lift me out of that rut I had sunk into.
You don’t drag your feet; you just get on them, was what that little walk with the chemboth had been all about.
Source: https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/column-birdly-wisdom-1258340
#3
(I am told there is a Lesser Coucal too! Whatever did this species of Coucal do to deserve this taxonomic downgrade?)
Also goes by a much more interesting name Chombooka. Though it doesn’t howl like Chewbacca does, her call did have a segment that sounded like she was sobbing one second and then asking me to take a hike the next.
If legends would have it their way we would have a story for each bird or animal living on this planet, trying to speak to us humans through their catcalls, taunts, howls and chirps. Maybe they are telling us something!
Constantly associated with omens and superstitions, (for those of you who love the excuse of a story) this bird features as the bird of good fortune in the story of Krishna and Sudaama. (Thanks Amma, for whipping that up, pronto!)
Want some good fortune like Sudaama? Then try your luck spotting this rather shifty, impatient and shy introvert of the wild.
Source: http://birdseyeview5.blogspot.com/2018/01/birds-of-india-greater-
coucal.html
#4
Chombooka – The Lucky Bird
Chombooka is not some kind of bogeyman out there to scare children off. Nor is it a character in a story re-discovered by parents to terrorise their children into keeping quiet and going to sleep. It is, in fact, the name by
which the people of Coorg refer to the Greater Coucal, or Crow Pheasant.
Centropus sinensis, as the learned folk of science call it, is a common bird in the Kodava heartland. Sighting one of these birds is considered to be lucky and therefore, the bird remains protected in its natural habitat.
However, the bird naturally has a skulking manner and although you may hear its deep booming notes resonating through the coffee, you may have to search hard to spot it. It also has a tendency to utter sharp clucks on annoyance. I took these photographs in Siddapur and the photograph of the Chombooka that seems to be drying its wings had me particularly curious.
I later found out that the Greater Coucals sunbathe in the mornings singly or in pairs with their wings spread out. It is indeed spectacular to watch them!
The Greater Coucal has a smaller cousin, the Lesser Coucal, also found in Coorg, and is distinguished by its smaller size. Sightings of the Lesser Coucal are rare and next time you visit Coorg, try your luck!
Source: https://www.evolveback.com/coorg/chombooka-the-lucky-bird/
Sources:
- http://www.india-birds.com/crow_pheasant.aspx
- https://www.beautyofbirds.com/greatercoucals.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_coucal
- https://www.evolveback.com/coorg/chombooka-the-lucky-bird/
- http://birdseyeview5.blogspot.com/2018/01/birds-of-india-greater-coucal.html
- https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/column-birdly-wisdom-1258340
- http://media.radiosai.org/journals/vol_09/01SEPT11/05_bird5.htm
For more interesting information:
- Auspicious Mongolian Omen
- Mongolian Astrology and Divination
- Tibetan Astrology
- Fortune Cookie
- 20 Awesome Malaysian Animals
- How to Bird-Proof Your Windows to Protect Our Feathered Friends
- Why don’t you love me anymore?
- Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Them
- 7 Signs Your Dog Is In Pain And Trying To Hide It
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Great to have this article about the Crow Pheasant. I saw one of these birds today. Good to know that it is an auspicious omen.
Nature and animals are so beautiful. We should protect them as they are part of our environment.
According to Buddhism there are 6 realms we can be born into, 3 higher realms and 3 lower realms. Animals belong to the lower realms together with the hungry ghost realm and the hell realm. As humans we have the best situation as we can work to gain enlightenment. The god and the demigod realm together with the human realm are part of the higher realms.
A rare sight to behold of an uncommon bird just now that led me to this article (I’ve remembered Rinpoche talked about this sighting of the rare bird before). Unfortunately, after checking with Google image, I found that it’s not this auspicious bird. Sigh… Nevertheless, I’m happy for it.
Pastor, I’m happy for you. May you achieve whatever you aspired.
The crow pheasant is a beautiful bird, I saw this bird just yesterday. It is good to know that it is a good omen. It somehow gives me an assurance that things will only get better. Sometimes when people are lost and not sure if they have made the right decision, seeing signs like this can really calm people’s mind.
lif kemboth enters home it’s gud sign or bad
Indeed, this bird very unique. I have heard from the people that walking at night and bump into these birds and notice that its eyes are red in color. Many people from far only able to see 2 red eyes moving around and really scare them not until they see the bird in close proximately then only realized it’s a bird. This type of bird I only see it alone and never in a pack or even a couple.
Kechara Fores Retreat is nestled in a forest in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. There are many interesting animals or insects that can be eye-opening. If you come to visit this place, you will enjoy the nature around it and also the blessed monuments that will fulfill your trip.
Hi Beatrix,
Good information. Was looking out for auspicious omen on the bird when I found your post. Last time I saw the bird was when I was in Belgaum almost a decade ago when it walked right into my Aunt’s garden. Back home in Mumbai, my life did take a 180° turn. Here I was years down the line @ Belgaum and I saw the bird again. Remains to be seen what’s going to unfold this time around.
“Only good lies ahead of me.” ~ Louise Hay
Hoping for the best.
Added a Marathi name with relevant spelling change.
Marathi: Bharadwaj Pakshi, Kumbhar Kawla, Kukkud Kumbha, Son Kawla, Ratna Pakshi
*Kawla: Crow
*Pakshi: Bird
Kiara
Nice write up about this beautiful species of bird.
It is also amazing that a sighting of it means good omen.
I do hope to see it near my lawn soon… *Lol*
It is quite a contradiction to how close it looks like to an eagle, yet it is not much of a flight bird…
I do hope KFR gains more traction and attention, especially since we have been receiving a lot of great signs.
Thank you.
Animals show love for humans! Cow, lions, apes, dogs, bears, parrots and more can all be very affectionate and show surprising emotions when it comes to expressing their love for people. An emotional animals hugging humans video.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1546455946.mp4
Very interesting article. Curious of how the bird’s calling, I went to youtube and found the sound. It is very nice to hear.
Here the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qEAh8sL3UU
This is an interesting species of bird that has visited Kechara Forest Retreat. Hope more interesting wildlife will come and visit Kechara Forest Retreat. I also like to think the diversity of the flora and fauna at Kechara Forest Retreat and the good energies of the people and the place has drawn unique species of birds to this place.
Very interesting bird. I do not know much of crow pheasant and much about birds till I read this post. Having seen one at Kechara is indeed very auspicious as a rare sighting. Hope to spot some of them in ipoh too, if not in Kechara. ..? Thank you Rinpoche and Beatrix for this nice article ????☘️
Very interesting bird. The coloration on it is spectacular. I do hope the presence of this bird means good things are coming! How auspicious. Very blessed to see it.
Thank you, Beatrix, for your well-written article on this uniquely rare bird.
Looks like something good to come? Hehehe…
Indeed KFR is one of the perfect places for birds sighting and Rinpoche was indeed “in luck” seeing this bird. A Dakini? ?
Thanks for this info, Beatrix. It’s my first time paying particular interest to learn about birds and especially this special, auspicious omens bird; Greater Coucal. Hopefully I’ll get to stay and work in KFR so that I can catch a glimpse of it?
In the blogpost, it is said that
“ the Greater Coucal uses a special grass or root with magical healing properties to make its nest. This material is indistinguishable to humans.” Further it stated that, “the special grass apparently disentangles itself and moves against the flow of water!”
Hence, from this I think we can safely deduce that KFR is indeed a genuine and potent healing place where even these birds also came to pay a visit or perhaps is their dwelling place? Given the fact that they are terrestrial birds that prefers walking to flying.
Being in Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) had always been and shall always a treat for me and friends whom I have taken to visit. As the air in KFR is refreshing with much lesser pollution than in the urban places of abode.
What is also true is within the retreat we do sight interesting and special species of nature and it was joyful to spot the Crow Pheasant, a bringer of auspicious Omens.
Thank you Beatrix for this well researched article on this rather rare and uncommon species of a bird.
Interesting read…..i do not know much of crow pheasant and much about birds till I read this post. Having seen one at Kechara is indeed very auspicious as a rare sighting. How wonderful if I can spot one of this bird in the jungle while trekking. The Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo species . In some culture, spotting one of this bird is un -auspicious but related with many superstitions and beliefs. Others believes it as a good omen in itself. ….all this depends on individual.
Thank you Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi for this sharing.