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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
African Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Long-tailed Koel
Song
Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low notes carrying through dense tropical forest in Southeast Asia.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
Least Concern
Long-tailed Koel
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Long-tailed Koel
Plumage
White-eared Bronze-cuckoo: white ear patch; bronze-green above; barred white below; distinctive white ear spot; small cuckoo
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
Long-tailed Koel (Urodynamis taitensis) — 40–43 cm; tail up to 22 cm. Slender; brown above with white spots; pale underparts with brown streaking; very long pointed tail. Migrates from New Zealand and Pacific islands to Melanesia and Micronesia. Brood parasite targeting reed-warblers. Frugivore and insectivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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