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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Gesang
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Gesang
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating far-carrying notes given from forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Erhaltungsstatus
Least Concern
Andaman Coucal
Least Concern
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Gefieder
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Gefieder
Common Hawk-Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; hawk-mimic; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; brain-fever bird
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) — 34–38 cm. Grey above; pale below with rufous streaking; hawk-like flight; barred tail. Widespread across the Indian subcontinent in forest, woodland, and plantation. Brood parasite targeting babblers. Insectivore. Its frantic rising call of 'brain-fever' is iconic in South Asian soundscapes.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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