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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.
Giant Coua
Song
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; piercing rough notes carrying far through dense forest habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andaman Coucal
Least Concern
Giant Coua
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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
Giant Coua
Plumage
Coral-billed Ground-cuckoo: dark green above; bright coral-red bill; rufous below; blue orbital skin; long tail; vivid bill diagnostic
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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.
Giant Coua (Coua gigas) — 58–62 cm. Largest coua; grey-brown above; vinous-buff below; bare blue orbital skin; massive heavy bill; long tail. Found in western dry deciduous forests of Madagascar. Non-parasitic; feeds on the ground and in trees. Omnivore; takes large invertebrates, lizards, and fruits. Declining due to forest loss.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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