Giant Coua vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Coua gigas compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Giant Coua Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coua gigas Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 42.5 cm (16.7 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 430.0 g (15.17 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Giant Coua only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Giant Coua

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; piercing rough notes carrying far through dense forest habitat.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Giant Coua

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Giant Coua

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

About These Birds

Giant Coua

Giant Coua (Coua gigas) — 58–62 cm. Largest coua; grey-brown above; vinous-buff below; bare blue orbital skin; massive heavy bill; long tail. Found in western dry deciduous forests of Madagascar. Non-parasitic; feeds on the ground and in trees. Omnivore; takes large invertebrates, lizards, and fruits. Declining due to forest loss.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.

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