Sumatran Ground-Cuckoo

Carpococcyx viridis

The Sumatran ground cuckoo is a large, terrestrial species of cuckoo endemic to the forests of Sumatra in Indonesia. It was first described in 1879 and, despite being identified as a separate species in the 1880s, was formerly considered conspecific with the Bornean ground cuckoo until recently being returned to the status of a unique species. Considered endangered species by the IUCN Red List, it was initially known from just eight specimens and evaded notice from 1916 until 1997, when it was rediscovered and photographed. The Sumatran ground cuckoo's diet is thought to consist of invertebrates, small mammals, and reptiles.

Scientific name

Carpococcyx viridis

Family

Cuckoos

IUCN status

CR