Black-faced Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Centropus melanops compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-faced Coucal Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus melanops Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 31.8 cm (12.5 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 219.75 g (7.75 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-faced Coucal only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Black-faced Coucal

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; piercing notes carrying far across tall African forest habitat.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-faced Coucal

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Black-faced Coucal

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

About These Birds

Black-faced Coucal

Black-faced Coucal (Centropus melanops) — 38–44 cm. Chestnut-rufous wings and back; black head, face, and underparts; long tail. Endemic to the Philippines (Mindanao and satellite islands) in grassland, scrub, and forest edge. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Status considered Vulnerable due to rapid habitat conversion.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.

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