Andaman Coucal vs Himalayan Cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Cuculus saturatus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Himalayan Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Cuculus saturatus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 36.5 cm (14.4 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 94.86666666666667 g (3.35 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Himalayan Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

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

Himalayan Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying call; resonant notes given from tall Himalayan forest canopy at dawn. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Himalayan Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Himalayan Cuckoo

Plumage

Himalayan Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Himalayan high-altitude species

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.

Himalayan Cuckoo

Himalayan Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus) — 31–33 cm. Grey above; warm buff-barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Breeds in Himalayan and Chinese mountain forest; winters to Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting bush-warblers. Insectivore.

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