Lesser Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo
Centropus bengalensis compared with Cuculus crassirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Coucal | Sulawesi Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus bengalensis | Cuculus crassirostris |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 30.9 cm (12.2 in) | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) |
| Weight | 172.075 g (6.07 oz) | 85.0 g (3.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Lesser Coucal
Loud, raucous call with harsh nasal quality; piercing notes carrying far through dense Madagascar forest.
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Lesser Coucal
Sulawesi Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Lesser Coucal
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus
About These Birds
Lesser Coucal
Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis) — 33–38 cm. Streaked brown above with a rufous wing panel; pale buff underparts; graduated tail. Widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China; inhabits grassland, scrub, and forest edges. Non-parasitic. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Smaller and more grass-dwelling than related species.
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.