Black-billed Coucal vs Lesser Roadrunner
Centropus bernsteini compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-billed Coucal | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus bernsteini | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 37.2 cm (14.6 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.73 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-billed Coucal
Loud, clear whistled call with carrying quality; rich musical notes audible through dense humid forest.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Black-billed Coucal
Lesser Roadrunner
About These Birds
Black-billed Coucal
Black-billed Coucal (Centropus bernsteini) — 40–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; all-black bill. Restricted to northern and western New Guinea in lowland forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.