Grey-capped Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Coccyzus lansbergi compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-capped Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus lansbergi | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.0 cm (9.1 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 51.0 g (1.80 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Grey-capped Cuckoo
Loud, harsh call with nasal penetrating quality; rough notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. 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
Grey-capped Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Grey-capped Cuckoo
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
Grey-capped Cuckoo
Grey-capped Cuckoo (Coccyzus lansbergi) — 25–29 cm. Pale grey cap contrasting with brown back; rufous-buff underparts; yellow-based bill; white tail spots. Inhabits dry scrub and forest edge from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Bolivia. Non-parasitic. Insectivore.
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.