Andaman Coucal vs Sunda Cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Cuculus lepidus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Sunda Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Cuculus lepidus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 31.0 cm (12.2 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 78.0 g (2.75 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Sunda Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.

Sunda Cuckoo

Song

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

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Sunda Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Sunda Cuckoo

Plumage

Sunda Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Sunda islands endemic cuckoo

About These Birds

Andaman Coucal

Andaman Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) — 42–47 cm. Chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; long graduated tail. Endemic to the Andaman Islands, India, in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Previously treated as a subspecies of Greater Coucal.

Sunda Cuckoo

Sunda Cuckoo (Cuculus lepidus) — 28–31 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring. Restricted to montane forest of the Greater Sundas — Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Closely related to and formerly lumped with Himalayan and Oriental cuckoos.

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