Bay-breasted Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Coccyzus rufigularis compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bay-breasted Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus rufigularis | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.2 cm (14.3 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 128.0 g (4.52 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep melodic notes audible across dense tropical forest in Africa.
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
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Bay-breasted 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
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) — 44–48 cm. Large; brown above; deep rufous-chestnut breast; white belly; long tail with white spots. Endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects. Endangered due to severe deforestation.
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.