Black Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Centropus grillii compared with Neomorphus rufipennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Coucal | Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus grillii | Neomorphus rufipennis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 117.66666666666667 g (4.15 oz) | 381.25 g (13.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Black Coucal only
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only
Song & Call Comparison
Black Coucal
Melodic, flute-like phrase with musical quality; clear rich notes cascading pleasantly from Madagascar forest.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.
Conservation Status
Black Coucal
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black Coucal
Brown Coucal: dark brown above; rufous-brown wings; buff below; long brown tail; orange-red eye; brownish plumage; African species
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Pheasant Coucal: dark glossy black head and body; rufous-brown wings; strongly barred dark tail; reddish eye; terrestrial habits
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.
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.