Andaman Coucal vs Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo
Centropus andamanensis compared with Hierococcyx nisicolor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Coucal | Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus andamanensis | Hierococcyx nisicolor |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.5 cm (13.6 in) | 35.2 cm (13.9 in) |
| Weight | 199.0 g (7.02 oz) | 81.1 g (2.86 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call; harsh penetrating notes building in rapid excited sequence from forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Andaman Coucal
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo: gray-brown above; pale below with rufous barring; hawk-mimic; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; distinctive whistle
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.
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo
Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx nisicolor) — 28–31 cm. Grey-brown above; pale below with rufous streaking; barred tail. Inhabits montane forest from the eastern Himalayas through Southeast Asia to China. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Named for its loud, persistent whistle.