Goliath Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Centropus goliath compared with Neomorphus rufipennis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Goliath Coucal Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus goliath Neomorphus rufipennis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 53.8 cm (21.2 in) 34.1 cm (13.4 in)
Weight 509.0 g (17.95 oz) 381.25 g (13.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Goliath Coucal only

None

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Goliath Coucal

Song

Loud, far-carrying coo with resonant quality; deep notes building in dramatic sequence from forest perch.

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Goliath Coucal

Least Concern

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Goliath Coucal

Plumage

Lesser Coucal: smaller; dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff-white below; red eye; long graduated dark tail; less glossy

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Plumage

Pheasant Coucal: dark glossy black head and body; rufous-brown wings; strongly barred dark tail; reddish eye; terrestrial habits

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About These Birds

Goliath Coucal

Goliath Coucal (Centropus goliath) — 65–75 cm. The largest coucal; all-dark with a massive decurved bill; faint bronze-green gloss; very long tail. Endemic to the Moluccas, Indonesia, in primary lowland forest. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts large lizards, birds, frogs, and invertebrates.

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.

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