Western Koel vs Scaled Ground-Cuckoo

Eudynamys scolopaceus compared with Neomorphus squamiger

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Western Koel Scaled Ground-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Eudynamys scolopaceus Neomorphus squamiger
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 230.0 g (8.11 oz) 340.0 g (11.99 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Western Koel only

None

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Western Koel

Song

Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow booming call; resonant bass notes carrying far across dense humid tropical forest floor.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Western Koel

Not Evaluated

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Western Koel

Plumage

Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo

Plumage

Banded Ground-cuckoo: rufous-buff below with dark barring; dark olive above; blue facial skin; long tail; barred pattern below

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About These Birds

Western Koel

Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo

Scaled Ground-Cuckoo (Neomorphus squamiger) — 45–48 cm. Bronze-olive above; scaled white-tipped breast; rufous flanks; bare blue orbital ring. Restricted to humid eastern Amazonian forest in Pará, Brazil. Non-parasitic; follows army ants. Insectivore. Vulnerable; small range threatened by deforestation.

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