Black-hooded Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus steerii compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-hooded Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus steerii | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.1 cm (12.6 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 200.75 g (7.08 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-hooded Coucal
Loud, booming call with deep resonance; powerful notes carrying across humid West African lowland 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
Black-hooded Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-hooded 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
Black-hooded Coucal
Black-hooded Coucal (Centropus steerii) — 40–45 cm. Rufous-chestnut body; entirely black head and upper breast; long tail. Endemic to Mindoro island, Philippines, in lowland forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Vulnerable; tiny range and threatened by deforestation and hunting.
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.