Fan-tailed Cuckoo vs Andaman Coucal

Cacomantis flabelliformis compared with Centropus andamanensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Fan-tailed Cuckoo Andaman Coucal
Scientific Name Cacomantis flabelliformis Centropus andamanensis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.4 cm (10.8 in) 34.5 cm (13.6 in)
Weight 53.8 g (1.90 oz) 199.0 g (7.02 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Fan-tailed Cuckoo only

None

Andaman Coucal only

Song & Call Comparison

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Andaman Coucal

Song

Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

How to Tell Them Apart

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Fan-tailed Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; rufous-orange breast; white-tipped tail feathers; yellow eye-ring; fan-shaped tail display

Andaman Coucal

About These Birds

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) — 24–28 cm. Grey above; rich rufous-orange below; yellow orbital ring; tail with white spots. Found in forest, woodland, and heath across Australia, New Guinea, and SW Pacific islands. Brood parasite targeting thornbills, scrubwrens, and gerygones. Insectivore.

Andaman Coucal

Andaman Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) — 42–47 cm. Chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; long graduated tail. Endemic to the Andaman Islands, India, in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Previously treated as a subspecies of Greater Coucal.

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