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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Song
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Jacobin Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying call with raucous quality; harsh penetrating notes given from tall canopy tree. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andaman Coucal
Least Concern
Jacobin Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Plumage
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Jacobin Cuckoo
Plumage
Scale-feathered Malkoha: scaly dark green above; buff below; bare red orbital skin; long dark tail; scaled feather texture distinctive
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Andaman Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) — 42–47 cm. Chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; long graduated tail. Endemic to the Andaman Islands, India, in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Previously treated as a subspecies of Greater Coucal.
Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) — 31–34 cm. Bold black-and-white; black crest; white underparts and wing patch; long tail. Widespread from Africa through the Indian subcontinent. Brood parasite targeting babblers. Migratory in part of its range. Insectivore. Known as 'Pied Crested Cuckoo'; its monsoon-season arrival in South Asia is celebrated.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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