Rufous Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Centropus unirufus compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rufous Coucal Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus unirufus Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 33.5 cm (13.2 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 178.4 g (6.29 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Rufous Coucal only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Rufous Coucal

Song

Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes given repeatedly from tall African forest canopy.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Rufous Coucal

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Rufous Coucal

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

About These Birds

Rufous Coucal

Rufous Coucal (Centropus unirufus) — 40–45 cm. Entirely bright rufous-chestnut above and below; stout black bill; red eye. Endemic to Luzon, Philippines, in primary and secondary forest and scrub. Non-parasitic; nests in low dense vegetation. Omnivore feeding on large insects, small lizards, frogs, and berries.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.

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