Malagasy Coucal vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Centropus toulou compared with Neomorphus rufipennis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Malagasy Coucal | Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus toulou | Neomorphus rufipennis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.1 cm (12.2 in) | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 154.5 g (5.45 oz) | 381.25 g (13.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Malagasy Coucal only
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Malagasy Coucal
Melodic, beautiful descending phrase; clear flute-like notes with cascading richness, characteristic of Malagasy coua.
Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.
Conservation Status
Malagasy Coucal
Rufous-winged 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
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
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.
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.