Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo vs Western Koel

Cercococcyx olivinus compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Western Koel
Scientific Name Cercococcyx olivinus Eudynamys scolopaceus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.8 cm (10.9 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 65.83333333333333 g (2.32 oz) 230.0 g (8.11 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo only

None

Western Koel only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes given repeatedly from dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Western Koel

Song

Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Western Koel

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How to Tell Them Apart

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo: olive-brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; olive coloration diagnostic

Western Koel

Plumage

Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size

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About These Birds

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx olivinus) — 28–32 cm. Olive-brown above; pale buff below with faint barring; long tail. Found in montane and submontane forest of West and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known; locally rare.

Western Koel

Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.

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