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

Song

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

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Song

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

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Plumage

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.

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