Cocos Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Coccyzus ferrugineus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cocos Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus ferrugineus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 70.0 g (2.47 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Cocos Cuckoo
Loud, resonant melodic call; rich notes building in musical sequence through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
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
Cocos Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Cocos Cuckoo
Black-bellied Cuckoo: rufous above; black belly; white throat; red orbital ring; long rufous tail; yellow-green bill; neotropical
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
About These Birds
Cocos Cuckoo
Cocos Cuckoo (Coccyzus ferrugineus) — 31–35 cm. Richly rufous-brown above; cinnamon-buff below; graduated tail; yellow lower mandible. Endemic to Cocos Island, Costa Rica (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Non-parasitic. Insectivore. Vulnerable due to its extremely restricted range and introduced predators.
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.