Chestnut-winged Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Clamator coromandus compared with Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chestnut-winged Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Scientific Name Clamator coromandus Cuculus gularis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 32.0 cm (12.6 in) 41.8 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 76.2 g (2.69 oz) 105.0 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-5 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo only

African Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich resonant 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

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Chestnut-winged 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

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus) — 45–50 cm. Black crest; white collar; black-and-chestnut wings; orange-buff underparts; long dark tail. Migratory; breeds in the Himalayas, South and Southeast Asia; winters to Sri Lanka and the Greater Sundas. Brood parasite targeting babblers and other hosts. 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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