Andaman Coucal vs Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Centropus andamanensis compared with Cercococcyx mechowi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Coucal | Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus andamanensis | Cercococcyx mechowi |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.5 cm (13.6 in) | 26.1 cm (10.3 in) |
| Weight | 199.0 g (7.02 oz) | 57.0 g (2.01 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Andaman Coucal only
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with hollow resonant quality; distinctive far-carrying notes through dense forest.
Conservation Status
Andaman Coucal
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo: dark dusky brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; forest canopy specialist
About These Birds
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.
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi) — 28–32 cm. Dark brown above; pale buff below with fine dark barring; very long graduated tail. Inhabits dense forest understorey across Central Africa. Brood parasite targeting ant-thrushes and other forest passerines. Insectivore. Secretive; more often heard than seen.