Red-breasted Coua vs Indian Cuckoo

Coua serriana compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Red-breasted Coua Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coua serriana Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 33.9 cm (13.3 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 293.0 g (10.34 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Red-breasted Coua only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

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.

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-breasted Coua

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Red-breasted 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-breasted Coua

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.

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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