Malagasy Coucal vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Centropus toulou compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Malagasy Coucal | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus toulou | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.1 cm (12.2 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 154.5 g (5.45 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Malagasy Coucal only
Lesser Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Malagasy Coucal
Melodic, beautiful descending phrase; clear flute-like notes with cascading richness, characteristic of Malagasy coua.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Malagasy Coucal
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Malagasy Coucal
Sulawesi Coucal: dark glossy brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Sulawesi island endemic coucal
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
Malagasy Coucal
Malagasy Coucal (Centropus toulou) — 38–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut above; black head and underparts; long tail. Endemic to Madagascar in forest edge, secondary vegetation, and wetland margins. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Two subspecies; common throughout the island.
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.