Green-billed Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo

Centropus chlororhynchos compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Green-billed Coucal Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus chlororhynchos Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 33.0 cm (13.0 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 244.4 g (8.62 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Green-billed Coucal only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Green-billed Coucal

Song

Loud, nasal call with carrying quality; distinctive resonant notes given from tall African forest tree.

Indian Cuckoo

Song

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

Vulnerable

Green-billed Coucal

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Green-billed Coucal

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

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

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.

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.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family