Bay Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo
Centropus celebensis compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bay Coucal | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus celebensis | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.4 cm (14.3 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 244.4 g (8.62 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Bay Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency notes given from dense forest floor in Madagascar.
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Bay Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Bay Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
About These Birds
Bay Coucal
Bay Coucal (Centropus celebensis) — 40–45 cm. Deep chestnut body; black head, long tail, and underparts; red eye. Endemic to Sulawesi and nearby islands in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore foraging in dense vegetation for lizards, large insects, and frogs.
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.