Burchell's Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus burchellii compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Burchell's Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus burchellii | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 182.2 g (6.43 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Burchell's Coucal
Loud, raucous call with harsh character; piercing notes carrying impressively through dense humid forest.
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Burchell's Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Burchell's Coucal
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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.
African Cuckoo
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.