Pearly-breasted Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri compared with Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Pearly-breasted Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus euleri Cuculus gularis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 26.3 cm (10.4 in) 41.8 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 52.46666666666667 g (1.85 oz) 105.0 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo only

None

African Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, melodic call with clear quality; rich resonant notes carrying far through tropical forest. 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.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Pearly-breasted 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

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus euleri) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; white below with a faint pearly sheen; yellow lower mandible; tail with white spots. Inhabits forest and forest edge in northern and central South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore. Partially migratory; less studied than its North American relatives.

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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