Pied Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus ateralbus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pied Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus ateralbus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 336.75 g (11.88 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Pied Coucal
Loud, far-carrying cooing call; deep resonant notes given repeatedly from tall forest tree in Africa.
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Pied Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pied Coucal
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
About These Birds
Pied Coucal
Pied Coucal (Centropus ateralbus) — 55–60 cm. Striking black-and-white coucal; glossy black wings and tail; pure white head, neck, and underparts. Restricted to New Britain and nearby islands (Papua New Guinea) in forest edge and secondary growth. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects, and small vertebrates. Status locally secure.
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.