African Cuckoo vs Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Cuculus gularis compared with Surniculus musschenbroeki
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Surniculus musschenbroeki |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 25.6 cm (10.1 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 29.7 g (1.05 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| 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.
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes carrying through dense humid forest in Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-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
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black overall; drongo-like forked tail; pale tail tips; red eye; Moluccas island endemic drongo-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.
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus musschenbroeki) — 24–27 cm. Glossy black; deeply forked tail; white vent barring. Endemic to the Moluccas and Sulawesi, Indonesia. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly studied.