Senegal Coucal vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Centropus senegalensis compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Senegal Coucal | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus senegalensis | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.2 cm (13.1 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 164.83333333333334 g (5.81 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Song & Call Comparison
Senegal Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying far through lowland dense forest.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Senegal Coucal
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Senegal Coucal
Shining Bronze Coucal: glossy purple-blue sheen overall; chestnut wings; dark graduated tail; red eye; brilliant iridescence
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner: boldly streaked brown above; white-cream below with dark streaks; long tail; shaggy crest; bare facial skin; fast runner
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.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) — 28 cm. Brown above; chestnut rump; whitish underparts; bare blue orbital skin. Inhabits dry and semi-arid scrub from Mexico to Costa Rica. Non-parasitic; builds its own nest in low shrubs. Runs on the ground hunting large insects, lizards, and amphibians. Monotypic genus endemic to Mesoamerica.