Rufous Coucal vs Guira Cuckoo
Centropus unirufus compared with Guira guira
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous Coucal | Guira Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus unirufus | Guira guira |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.5 cm (13.2 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 178.4 g (6.29 oz) | 141.73333333333335 g (5.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivore of open South American country; eats large insects, small frogs, lizards, and bird eggs. … |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous Coucal
Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes given repeatedly from tall African forest canopy.
Guira Cuckoo
Loud, gurgling call with hollow quality; distinctive multi-tonal sound carrying across open African savanna.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous Coucal
Guira Cuckoo
Found in open habitats across South America east of the Andes from Brazil to Argentina. Resident and gregarious.
Conservation Status
Rufous Coucal
Guira Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous Coucal
Short-toed Coucal: brown above; rufous wings; buff below; shorter tail than other coucals; red eye; more compact build
Guira Cuckoo
Broad-billed Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; broadly barred white below; wide bars; reddish eye; Australian bronze cuckoo
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.
Guira Cuckoo
A distinctive, socially gregarious cuckoo (36-42 cm) found in open habitats across South America east of the Andes. Shaggy orange-rufous crest, streaked plumage, and long tail. Omnivore, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and eggs. Often seen in noisy family groups.