Black Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo
Centropus grillii compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Coucal | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus grillii | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 117.66666666666667 g (4.15 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 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.
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
Black Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black 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
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.
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.