Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo vs Western Koel

Cacomantis castaneiventris compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Western Koel
Scientific Name Cacomantis castaneiventris Eudynamys scolopaceus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 22.1 cm (8.7 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 31.5 g (1.11 oz) 230.0 g (8.11 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo only

Western Koel only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call with chestnut-breasted quality; deep hollow notes carrying through Pacific forest.

Western Koel

Song

Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

Western Koel

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How to Tell Them Apart

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Plumage

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo: rich chestnut breast; gray-brown above; pale belly; long dark tail; red orbital ring; bold chestnut breast

Western Koel

Plumage

Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size

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About These Birds

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris) — 20–24 cm. Grey above; bright chestnut breast and belly; grey chin; yellow orbital ring. Restricted to rainforest and forest edge of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, and southern New Guinea. Brood parasite targeting gerygones. Insectivore.

Western Koel

Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.

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