Red-fronted Coua vs Indian Cuckoo

Coua reynaudii compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Red-fronted Coua Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coua reynaudii Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 27.0 cm (10.6 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 148.5 g (5.24 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Red-fronted Coua only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Red-fronted Coua

Song

Loud, harsh resonant call with nasal quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia.

Indian Cuckoo

Song

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

Least Concern

Red-fronted Coua

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Red-fronted Coua

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

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

Red-fronted Coua

Red-fronted Coua (Coua reynaudii) — 36–40 cm. Brown-grey above; white below with rusty-orange frontal patch; bare blue orbital skin; long tail. Found in humid and sub-humid eastern and central forests of Madagascar. Non-parasitic; typically forages on or near the ground. Omnivore.

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.

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