• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Taxonomic note
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina javensis (del Hoyo & Collar 2016) was previously treated as two species, nominate being one and all other taxa grouping under C. macei (Sibley & Monroe 1990, 1993).

Vocally, however, nominate is very similar to races nipalensis and siamensis, so basis for maintaining it as a separate species is, on present evidence weak. Eaton et al. (2016) treat race larutensis as a full species. Intriguingly, this race (often subject to speculation as to which species is belonged when C. javensis was separated from C. macei) is relatively distinctive in both plumage and voice: differs from both others in its shorter, higher and sonographically different-shaped calls (P. Boesman in litt. 2016), and from C. j. nipalensis in its primaries and wing coverts lacking pale fringes, forming a bold black 'line' when folded, darker upperparts, most notably on rump, although versus siamensis this character minor, and weaker, less extensive barring on belly in female; and from C. javensis in its overall darker grey colour with (in male) much darker chin and throat, more extensively grey vs. largely white lower belly (more obvious in male), browner, darker shade of grey on throat and breast in female. Race rexpineti, surprisingly, has voice that resembles more that of C. striata but voice of mainland Chinese birds apparently unknown. Further research needed on this complex.

As such, C. javensis is recognised as consisting of seven subspecies; C. j. nipalensis, C. j. siamensis, C. j. rexpineti, C. j. larvivora, C. j. andamana, C. j. larutensis and C. j. javensis. 

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species was regarded as widespread and fairly common in the 1990s (del Hoyo et al. 2005).

Trend justification: The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Large Cuckooshrike Coracina javensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/large-cuckooshrike-coracina-javensis on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.