Coquerel's Coua vs Lesser Roadrunner

Coua coquereli compared with Geococcyx velox

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Coquerel's Coua Lesser Roadrunner
Scientific Name Coua coquereli Geococcyx velox
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 29.1 cm (11.5 in) 28.3 cm (11.1 in)
Weight 147.5 g (5.20 oz) 184.1 g (6.49 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Coquerel's Coua only

Lesser Roadrunner only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Coquerel's Coua

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep powerful notes given repeatedly from dense humid forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Lesser Roadrunner

Song

Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Coquerel's Coua

Least Concern

Lesser Roadrunner

About These Birds

Coquerel's Coua

Coquerel's Coua (Coua coquereli) — 44–48 cm. Brownish-grey above; buff-white below with chestnut breast patch; bare bare blue-and-red orbital skin; long tail. Inhabits the dry and sub-humid western forests of Madagascar. Non-parasitic. Omnivore eating insects, geckos, and fruits.

Lesser Roadrunner

Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.

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