Short-toed Coucal vs Western Koel
Centropus rectunguis compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Short-toed Coucal | Western Koel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus rectunguis | Eudynamys scolopaceus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 200.625 g (7.08 oz) | 230.0 g (8.11 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Short-toed Coucal
Deep, hollow booming call; resonant low notes carrying across dense humid West African lowland forest.
Western Koel
Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Short-toed Coucal
Western Koel
How to Tell Them Apart
Short-toed Coucal
Mangrove Coucal: dark glossy brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long graduated tail; red eye; mangrove forest specialist
Western Koel
Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size
About These Birds
Short-toed Coucal
Short-toed Coucal (Centropus rectunguis) — 35–40 cm. Rufous-brown with a black head; noticeably shorter tail than most coucals; heavy bill. Inhabits lowland and hill forest of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra. Non-parasitic; builds a domed nest. Omnivore hunting large insects and small vertebrates. Vulnerable due to forest loss.
Western Koel
Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.