Great Spotted Cuckoo vs Western Koel
Clamator glandarius compared with Eudynamys scolopaceus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Spotted Cuckoo | Western Koel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clamator glandarius | Eudynamys scolopaceus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.8 cm (15.3 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 145.95000000000002 g (5.15 oz) | 230.0 g (8.11 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 15-23 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Loud, bubbling resonant call; rich liquid notes cascading in sequence from forest perch in Africa. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Western Koel
Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Western Koel
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Red-faced Malkoha: dark green-black above; pale below; brilliant red bare facial skin; long dark tail; Philippine endemic red face
Western Koel
Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size
About These Birds
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) — 38–42 cm. Grey crest; white-spotted dark upperparts; pale underparts; long tail. Migratory breeder in southern Europe and western Asia; winters in Africa. Brood parasite primarily targeting magpies and crows. Insectivore feeding on hairy caterpillars and invertebrates.
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.