Black Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus grillii compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus grillii | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 117.66666666666667 g (4.15 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black Coucal
Melodic, flute-like phrase with musical quality; clear rich notes cascading pleasantly from Madagascar forest.
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
Black Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black 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
Black Coucal
Black Coucal (Centropus grillii) — 30–35 cm. Entirely glossy black with chestnut wings in breeding plumage; non-breeding birds streaked brown. Found in tall grass and reed beds across sub-Saharan Africa. Non-parasitic; notable for reverse sex roles — female larger, male incubates and raises young. Insectivore.
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.