African Cuckoo vs Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

Cuculus gularis compared with Hierococcyx pectoralis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Cuckoo Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus gularis Hierococcyx pectoralis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.8 cm (16.5 in) 34.2 cm (13.5 in)
Weight 105.0 g (3.70 oz) 78.25 g (2.76 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Cuckoo only

None

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

African Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with penetrating quality; harsh notes carrying well through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

Least Concern

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

African Cuckoo

Plumage

African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo: brown above; white below with bold dark barring; hawk-like; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; Philippine

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.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx pectoralis) — 28–31 cm. Grey above; rufous breast; barred lower belly; hawk-like silhouette. Endemic to the Philippines in forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Identified by its distinctive call.

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