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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