Verreaux's Coua vs Indian Cuckoo
Coua verreauxi compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Verreaux's Coua | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coua verreauxi | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 26.0 cm (10.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 98.66666666666667 g (3.48 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Verreaux's Coua
Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich resonant notes carrying powerfully through dense humid forest.
Indian Cuckoo
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
Verreaux's Coua
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Verreaux's Coua
Indian Cuckoo
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
Verreaux's Coua
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.
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.