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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Black-billed Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep notes audible across dense forest in Asia. 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.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black-billed 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
Black-billed Cuckoo
Plumage
Gray-capped Cuckoo: gray cap; brown above; pale below; graduated dark tail; South American species; forest cuckoo
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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Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) — 26–31 cm. Brown above; white below; all-dark bill; narrow red orbital ring; tail with small white spots. Migratory breeder in eastern North America; winters in South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore specialising in tent caterpillars and other hairy larvae.
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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