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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Red-breasted Coua
Song
Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich resonant notes given from tall forest canopy in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Red-breasted Coua
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Red-breasted Coua
Plumage
Running Coua: pale gray-white below; olive-brown above; blue-green orbital ring; long graduated tail; ground-running Madagascar bird
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Red-breasted Coua (Coua serriana) — 42–46 cm. Grey-brown above; vivid chestnut-orange breast; white belly; bare blue orbital skin. Restricted to the humid eastern rainforest of Madagascar. Non-parasitic; forages mainly in the understorey. Omnivore. Near Threatened due to deforestation.
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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