Burchell's Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Centropus burchellii compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Burchell's Coucal Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus burchellii Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Not Evaluated Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 182.2 g (6.43 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Burchell's Coucal only

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Burchell's Coucal

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh character; piercing notes carrying impressively through dense humid forest.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

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

Not Evaluated

Burchell's Coucal

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Burchell's Coucal

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

About These Birds

Burchell's Coucal

Burchell's Coucal (Centropus burchellii) — 37–42 cm. Chestnut back; black head and tail; white underparts; white supercilium. Inhabits rank grass, forest edge, and gardens of southern Africa. Non-parasitic; builds a large domed nest in dense grass. Omnivore; often known as 'rainbird' because its call is associated with rainy weather.

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.

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