Long-billed Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Chalcites megarhynchus compared with Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Long-billed Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chalcites megarhynchus Cuculus gularis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 19.4 cm (7.6 in) 41.8 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 31.25 g (1.10 oz) 105.0 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Long-billed Cuckoo only

None

African Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Long-billed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, melodic call with resonant quality; rich carrying notes given from tall tropical forest tree. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

African Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Long-billed Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Long-billed Cuckoo

African Cuckoo

Plumage

African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common

About These Birds

Long-billed Cuckoo

Long-billed Cuckoo (Chalcites megarhynchus) — 18–21 cm. Bronze-green above; white below with rufous barring; notably long bill. Inhabits montane and hill forest of New Guinea and nearby islands. Brood parasite; hosts include gerygones. Insectivore.

African Cuckoo

African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.

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