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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Burchell's Coucal
Song
Loud, raucous call with harsh character; piercing notes carrying impressively through dense humid forest.
African Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Burchell's Coucal
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Burchell's Coucal
Plumage
Steere's Coucal: dark brown above with iridescent gloss; rufous wings; pale below; long dark tail; red eye; Philippine island endemic
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
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.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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