Javan Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus nigrorufus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Javan Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus nigrorufus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 244.4 g (8.62 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Javan Coucal
Loud, far-carrying melodic call; clear resonant notes given repeatedly from dense forest in Southeast Asia.
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
Javan Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Javan 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
Javan Coucal
Javan Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) — 40–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut wings; black head and underparts; long tail. Endemic to Java, Indonesia, in lowland forest, dense scrub, and wetland edges. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Vulnerable; severely threatened by Java's extreme habitat loss.
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.