African Cuckoo vs Madagascar Cuckoo
Cuculus gularis compared with Cuculus rochii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Madagascar Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Cuculus rochii |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 32.7 cm (12.9 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 62.0 g (2.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Madagascar Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Madagascar.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Madagascar Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Madagascar Cuckoo
Madagascar Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Madagascar migratory species
About These Birds
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.
Madagascar Cuckoo
Madagascar Cuckoo (Cuculus rochii) — 26–29 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring. Summer visitor to Madagascar; winters to East Africa. Brood parasite targeting Madagascar warblers and other small passerines. Insectivore. The only truly migratory cuckoo of the Western Indian Ocean region.