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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Song
Loud, resonant call with raucous quality; harsh carrying notes given from tropical forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Plumage
Banded Bay Cuckoo: rufous bay-brown above; pale below with dark barring; supercilium; long barred tail; banded underparts pattern
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii) — 22–25 cm. Brown above with rufous barring; white below with heavy brown barring; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits forest and forest edge from India through Southeast Asia to the Lesser Sundas. Brood parasite targeting warblers and babblers. Insectivore.
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.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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