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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Song
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Rufous Coucal
Song
Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes given repeatedly from tall African forest canopy.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andaman Coucal
Near Threatened
Rufous Coucal
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Plumage
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Rufous Coucal
Plumage
Short-toed Coucal: brown above; rufous wings; buff below; shorter tail than other coucals; red eye; more compact build
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
Rufous Coucal (Centropus unirufus) — 40–45 cm. Entirely bright rufous-chestnut above and below; stout black bill; red eye. Endemic to Luzon, Philippines, in primary and secondary forest and scrub. Non-parasitic; nests in low dense vegetation. Omnivore feeding on large insects, small lizards, frogs, and berries.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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