Andaman Coucal vs Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Centropus andamanensis compared with Surniculus dicruroides
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Coucal | Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus andamanensis | Surniculus dicruroides |
| 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) | 34.96666666666667 g (1.23 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Andaman Coucal only
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes given from tall forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Andaman Coucal
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black; deeply forked tail; drongo mimic; pale tail base; red eye; southeast Asian species
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.
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) — 25–28 cm. Glossy black with forked tail; resembles drongo closely; fine white barring on vent. Found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia in forest and forest edge. Brood parasite; mimics drongos to approach host nests. Insectivore.