Greater Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus sinensis compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus sinensis | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 281.5 g (9.93 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Greater Coucal only
African Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Coucal
Loud, nasal call with carrying quality; distinctive resonant notes audible through dense Southeast Asian 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
Greater Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Greater 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
Greater Coucal
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) — 47–52 cm. Large; chestnut wings; glossy black head, body, and long graduated tail; red eye. Widespread from Pakistan through South and Southeast Asia to China. Inhabits scrub, forest edge, gardens. Non-parasitic; builds a large domed nest. Omnivore; known as 'crow-pheasant' in South Asia.
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.