Indian Cuckoo vs Black-billed Koel
Cuculus micropterus compared with Eudynamys melanorhynchus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Black-billed Koel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Eudynamys melanorhynchus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | — |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 199.875 g (7.05 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Indian Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Black-billed Koel
Loud, resonant call with musical quality; rich carrying notes given from tall forest tree in Borneo.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Black-billed Koel
How to Tell Them Apart
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
Black-billed Koel
About These Birds
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.
Black-billed Koel
Black-billed Koel (Eudynamys melanorhynchus) — 38–44 cm. Male glossy black with a dark bill (unlike related koels with pale bills); female similar to Western Koel female. Endemic to Sulawesi and Sula Islands in Indonesia. Brood parasite; hosts include corvids. Frugivore and insectivore.