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
Verreaux's 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
Verreaux's Coua
Plumage
Violet Coucal: brilliant violet-blue iridescent body; rufous wings; dark graduated tail; red eye; violet iridescence striking
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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Verreaux's Coua (Coua verreauxi) — 38–42 cm. Brown-grey above; rufous-buff below; long tail with white tips; small bare blue orbital ring. Restricted to the extreme south and southwest of Madagascar in spiny desert and xeric scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Near Threatened due to its narrow habitat range.
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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