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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Levaillant's Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying resonant call with musical quality; clear notes carrying through tropical forest.
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.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Levaillant's Cuckoo
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Levaillant's Cuckoo
Plumage
Black-bellied Malkoha: dark green-black above; black belly; bare red facial skin; long dark tail; southeast Asian malkoha
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Levaillant's Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii) — 38–42 cm. Prominent black crest; dark above; white below with heavy black streaking on throat and breast; long tail. Found in woodland, savanna, and scrub across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting babblers (Turdoides). Insectivore. Nomadic, following rains.
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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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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