Philippine Coucal vs Indian Cuckoo

Centropus viridis compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Philippine Coucal Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus viridis Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 32.6 cm (12.8 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 153.5 g (5.41 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Philippine Coucal only

Indian Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Philippine Coucal

Song

Loud, melodic call with resonant musical quality; distinctive rich notes echoing through Madagascar lowland forest.

Indian Cuckoo

Song

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

Least Concern

Philippine Coucal

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Philippine Coucal

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

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

Philippine Coucal

Philippine Coucal (Centropus viridis) — 40–45 cm. Dark greenish-black above and below; chestnut wings; graduated tail. Endemic to the Philippines (Luzon, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao) in forest and dense scrub. 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.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family