Violaceous Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo
Centropus violaceus compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Violaceous Coucal | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus violaceus | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.6 cm (19.5 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 500.0 g (17.64 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Violaceous Coucal
Loud, resonant call with melodic quality; rich carrying notes audible through dense Madagascar lowland forest.
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Violaceous Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Violaceous Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
About These Birds
Violaceous Coucal
Violaceous Coucal (Centropus violaceus) — 45–50 cm. Entirely deep blue-violet with a glossy sheen; long graduated tail; heavy black bill. Endemic to Manus Island and Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea. Inhabits forest and secondary growth. Non-parasitic. Omnivore.
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.