Andaman Coucal vs Cuban Lizard-cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Coccyzus merlini

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Cuban Lizard-cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Coccyzus merlini
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 35.6 cm (14.0 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 172.16666666666666 g (6.07 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo

Song

Deep, resonant call with hollow quality; powerful low-frequency notes carrying across humid tropical forest.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo

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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

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo

Plumage

Dark-billed Cuckoo: dark bill; dark brown above; pale buff below; graduated tail; South American cuckoo; black bill diagnostic

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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.

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo

Cuban Lizard-cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini) — 38–44 cm. Brown above; pale buff below; bare red orbital skin; long graduated tail with white tips. Endemic to Cuba and nearby islands. Non-parasitic; a specialist predator of lizards (Anolis and others). Also takes large insects.

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