Common Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus canorus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.4 cm (15.1 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 116.25 g (4.10 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-18 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Common Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying iconic call; descending cuckoo notes audible at great distance across European landscape.
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Common Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark graduated tail; yellow eye-ring; brood parasite; widespread
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
About These Birds
Common Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; white below with black barring; pointed wings; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Palearctic breeder from Britain to Japan; winters in sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting 100+ host species. Insectivore specialising in hairy caterpillars. The quintessential herald of European spring.
African Cuckoo
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.