Pheasant Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo
Centropus phasianinus compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pheasant Coucal | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus phasianinus | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.8 cm (19.6 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 331.5 g (11.69 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Pheasant Coucal only
Indian Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Pheasant Coucal
Harsh, chattering call with coarse quality; rapid series of rough notes delivered from tropical forest perch.
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Pheasant Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pheasant Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
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.
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.