Green-billed Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus chlororhynchos compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green-billed Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus chlororhynchos | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 244.4 g (8.62 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Green-billed Coucal
Loud, nasal call with carrying quality; distinctive resonant notes given from tall African forest tree.
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
Green-billed Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Green-billed 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
Green-billed Coucal
Green-billed Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos) — 43–47 cm. Blue-black with a long graduated tail; pale greenish bill. Endemic to Sri Lanka in wet forest and dense riverine scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects, and frogs. Vulnerable; highly forest-dependent and threatened by ongoing deforestation.
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.