Black-hooded Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo

Centropus steerii compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-hooded Coucal Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus steerii Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Critically Endangered Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 32.1 cm (12.6 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 200.75 g (7.08 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-hooded Coucal only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Black-hooded Coucal

Song

Loud, booming call with deep resonance; powerful notes carrying across humid West African lowland forest.

Indian Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Black-hooded Coucal

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Black-hooded Coucal

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species

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.

Indian Cuckoo

Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.

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