Greater Coucal vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Centropus sinensis compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Coucal | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus sinensis | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 281.5 g (9.93 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Greater Coucal only
Lesser Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Coucal
Loud, nasal call with carrying quality; distinctive resonant notes audible through dense Southeast Asian forest.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Greater Coucal
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Greater Coucal
Short-toed Coucal (Philippine): shorter tail; dark brown above; rufous wings; buff below; dark streaks; red eye; Philippine species
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
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.
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.