Andaman Coucal vs Blue-faced Malkoha

Centropus andamanensis compared with Phaenicophaeus viridirostris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Blue-faced Malkoha
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 27.2 cm (10.7 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 67.0 g (2.36 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Andaman Coucal only

Blue-faced Malkoha only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

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

Blue-faced Malkoha

Song

Loud, raucous far-carrying call; harsh penetrating notes carrying well through dense forest habitat.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Blue-faced Malkoha

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How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Plumage

Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species

Blue-faced Malkoha

Plumage

Yellowbill (African): yellow bill; plain olive-brown above; pale buff-white below; long graduated brown tail; African forest cuckoo

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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.

Blue-faced Malkoha

Blue-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris) — 38–42 cm. Green and chestnut; vivid bare blue orbital skin; green bill. Inhabits dry scrub and forest edge across peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Non-parasitic; builds a small cup nest in dense scrub. Insectivore and frugivore.

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