White-browed Coucal vs African Cuckoo
Centropus superciliosus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-browed Coucal | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus superciliosus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.6 cm (12.4 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 165.0 g (5.82 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
White-browed Coucal
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes audible far across dense humid tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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
White-browed Coucal
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
White-browed 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
White-browed Coucal
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) — 36–42 cm. Chestnut back and wings; bold white supercilium; dark cap and tail; white underparts. Common across East and southern Africa in scrub, gardens, and woodland edges. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; loud bubbling call. Frequently seen in suburban areas.
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.