Senegal Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus senegalensis compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Senegal Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus senegalensis | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.2 cm (13.1 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 164.83333333333334 g (5.81 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Senegal Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying far through lowland dense forest.
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
Senegal Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Senegal 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
Senegal Coucal
Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis) — 38–42 cm. Chestnut back; black head and tail; white underparts; red eye. Widespread in Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Zambia; inhabits grassland, scrub, and forest edge. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; frequently seen perching openly and flushing through tall grass.
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.