Lesser Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo
Centropus bengalensis compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Coucal | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus bengalensis | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 30.9 cm (12.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 172.075 g (6.07 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 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.
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Lesser Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Lesser Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
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.
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.