African Cuckoo vs Malay Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculus gularis compared with Hierococcyx fugax
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Malay Hawk-Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Hierococcyx fugax |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 35.0 cm (13.8 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 69.25 g (2.44 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.
Malay Hawk-Cuckoo
Loud, harsh raucous call; penetrating rough notes given from forest canopy in Southeast Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Malay Hawk-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
Malay Hawk-Cuckoo
Malay Hawk-Cuckoo: gray-brown above; white below with rufous barring; hawk-like; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; Malaysian 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.
Malay Hawk-Cuckoo
Malay Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx fugax) — 28–32 cm. Brown-grey above; rufous breast band; whitish barred belly; barred tail; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Brood parasite targeting flycatchers and babblers. Insectivore.