Burchell's Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Centropus burchellii compared with Neomorphus rufipennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Burchell's Coucal | Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus burchellii | Neomorphus rufipennis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 182.2 g (6.43 oz) | 381.25 g (13.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Burchell's Coucal only
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only
Song & Call Comparison
Burchell's Coucal
Loud, raucous call with harsh character; piercing notes carrying impressively through dense humid forest.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.
Conservation Status
Burchell's Coucal
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Burchell's Coucal
Steere's Coucal: dark brown above with iridescent gloss; rufous wings; pale below; long dark tail; red eye; Philippine island endemic
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Pheasant Coucal: dark glossy black head and body; rufous-brown wings; strongly barred dark tail; reddish eye; terrestrial habits
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.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus rufipennis) — 46–50 cm. Bronze-green above; rufous wing panels; pale buff below. Found in humid forest of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Non-parasitic; follows army ants. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Rarely encountered; Near Threatened.