Pheasant Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Centropus phasianinus compared with Neomorphus rufipennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pheasant Coucal | Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus phasianinus | Neomorphus rufipennis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.8 cm (19.6 in) | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 331.5 g (11.69 oz) | 381.25 g (13.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Pheasant Coucal only
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Pheasant Coucal
Harsh, chattering call with coarse quality; rapid series of rough notes delivered from tropical forest perch.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.
Conservation Status
Pheasant Coucal
Rufous-winged Ground-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
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Pheasant Coucal: dark glossy black head and body; rufous-brown wings; strongly barred dark tail; reddish eye; terrestrial habits
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.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus rufipennis) — 46–50 cm. Bronze-green above; rufous wing panels; pale buff below. Found in humid forest of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Non-parasitic; follows army ants. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Rarely encountered; Near Threatened.