Pheasant Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus phasianinus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pheasant Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus phasianinus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.8 cm (19.6 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 331.5 g (11.69 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Pheasant Coucal only
African Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Pheasant Coucal
Harsh, chattering call with coarse quality; rapid series of rough notes delivered from tropical forest perch.
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
Pheasant Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pheasant Coucal
Black-throated Coucal: black throat; brown streaked above; rufous wings; buff below; long dark tail; red eye; black throat diagnostic
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
Pheasant Coucal
Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) — 55–70 cm. Very long-tailed; black head and underparts in breeding; streaked brown in non-breeding; rufous wings. Found in tall grass, cane fields, and scrub across Australia and New Guinea. Non-parasitic; builds a large domed grass nest. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator.
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.