Crested Coua vs Indian Cuckoo
Coua cristata compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Crested Coua | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coua cristata | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 104.0 g (3.67 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Crested Coua
Loud, far-carrying melodic call with resonant quality; clear rich notes audible through dense humid forest.
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Crested Coua
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Crested Coua
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
About These Birds
Crested Coua
Crested Coua (Coua cristata) — 42–44 cm. Grey-brown above; whitish below with vinous breast; prominent erect crest; vivid bare blue orbital patch. Common in western and southern Madagascar in dry deciduous forest, scrub, and spiny thickets. Non-parasitic; builds a small open nest. Omnivore; eats insects, chameleons, fruits, and seeds.
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.