Andaman Coucal vs Madagascar Cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Cuculus rochii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Madagascar Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Cuculus rochii
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 32.7 cm (12.9 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 62.0 g (2.19 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Madagascar Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

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

Madagascar Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Madagascar.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Madagascar Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Madagascar Cuckoo

Plumage

Madagascar Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Madagascar migratory species

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.

Madagascar Cuckoo

Madagascar Cuckoo (Cuculus rochii) — 26–29 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring. Summer visitor to Madagascar; winters to East Africa. Brood parasite targeting Madagascar warblers and other small passerines. Insectivore. The only truly migratory cuckoo of the Western Indian Ocean region.

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