African Cuckoo vs Common Squirrel-cuckoo
Cuculus gularis compared with Piaya cayana
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Common Squirrel-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Piaya cayana |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 29.1 cm (11.5 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 103.85 g (3.66 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Common Squirrel-cuckoo
Harsh, far-carrying call with raucous quality; loud rough notes carrying through dense tropical forest.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Common Squirrel-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Common Squirrel-cuckoo
About These Birds
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.
Common Squirrel-cuckoo
Common Squirrel-cuckoo (Piaya cayana) — 40–50 cm. Brilliant rufous-chestnut above and on breast; grey belly; yellow-green bill; very long tail with bold black-and-white tips. Widespread in forest and forest edge from Mexico to Bolivia and Argentina. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; agile forager in tree canopy catching large insects and caterpillars.