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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