Sumatran Ground-cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Carpococcyx viridis compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sumatran Ground-cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carpococcyx viridis | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.2 cm (16.6 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 495.7 g (17.49 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Sumatran Ground-cuckoo
Deep, resonant whistled call; melodic notes with carrying quality audible through dense woodland 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
Sumatran Ground-cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Sumatran Ground-cuckoo
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
Sumatran Ground-cuckoo
Sumatran Ground-cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis) — 52–58 cm. Bronzy-green above; pale buff below; bare red-and-yellow facial skin; long decurved bill; heavy build. Critically Endangered; restricted to lowland forest of Sumatra. Non-parasitic; terrestrial. Omnivore. Known from very few records; one of the rarest cuckoos in the world.
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.