African Cuckoo vs Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Cuculus gularis compared with Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Chestnut-breasted Malkoha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Phaenicophaeus curvirostris |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 32.9 cm (13.0 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 151.525 g (5.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| 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.
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Loud, far-carrying plaintive call; pure resonant notes carrying through open dry scrub habitat. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
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
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Coquerel's Coua: olive-gray above; rufous-buff below; bare blue facial skin; long white-tipped tail; Madagascar dry forest cuckoo
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.
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) — 44–50 cm. Dark green above; chestnut breast; whitish belly; decurved green bill; bare red orbital skin; long white-tipped tail. Widespread in lowland forest and mangroves from the Malay Peninsula to the Philippines. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; specialises in large caterpillars.