Blue-headed Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus monachus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-headed Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus monachus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.1 cm (14.2 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 207.25 g (7.31 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-headed Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency notes carrying impressively far through dense 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
Blue-headed Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-headed 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
Blue-headed Coucal
Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus) — 40–45 cm. Chestnut wings; glossy blue-black head and underparts; long tail. Inhabits forest edge, riverine scrub, and rank grassland across Central and East Africa. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; forages in dense vegetation. Distinctive bubbling call carries far.
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.