Andaman Coucal vs Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Hierococcyx vagans

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Hierococcyx vagans
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 29.4 cm (11.6 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 58.2 g (2.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

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

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous accelerating call; harsh notes building quickly in urgency given from forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Near Threatened

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo: brown above; white below with rufous barring; moustachial stripe; hawk-like barred pattern; yellow eye-ring

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.

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx vagans) — 28–31 cm. Hawk-like; brown above; pale below with rufous-streaked breast; bold moustachial stripe; barred tail. Inhabits hill forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Brood parasite; mimics Accipiter sparrowhawks. Insectivore.

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