Levaillant's Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Clamator levaillantii compared with Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Levaillant's Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Scientific Name Clamator levaillantii Cuculus gularis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.9 cm (13.7 in) 41.8 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 121.8 g (4.30 oz) 105.0 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Levaillant's Cuckoo only

None

African Cuckoo only

None

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.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Levaillant's Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Levaillant's 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

Levaillant's Cuckoo

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

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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