Greater Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Centropus sinensis compared with Neomorphus rufipennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Coucal | Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus sinensis | Neomorphus rufipennis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 281.5 g (9.93 oz) | 381.25 g (13.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Greater Coucal only
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Coucal
Loud, nasal call with carrying quality; distinctive resonant notes audible through dense Southeast Asian forest.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.
Conservation Status
Greater Coucal
Rufous-winged 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
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Pheasant Coucal: dark glossy black head and body; rufous-brown wings; strongly barred dark tail; reddish eye; terrestrial habits
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.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus rufipennis) — 46–50 cm. Bronze-green above; rufous wing panels; pale buff below. Found in humid forest of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Non-parasitic; follows army ants. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Rarely encountered; Near Threatened.