Fan-tailed Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Fan-tailed Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacomantis flabelliformis | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.4 cm (10.8 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 53.8 g (1.90 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Fan-tailed Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; rufous-orange breast; white-tipped tail feathers; yellow eye-ring; fan-shaped tail display
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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.
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.