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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
African Cuckoo
Gesang
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Oriental Cuckoo
Gesang
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. 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
African Cuckoo
Least Concern
Oriental Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
Gefieder
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Oriental Cuckoo
Gefieder
Oriental Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; broad barring; Asian migrant species
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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.
Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus optatus) — 30–33 cm. Grey above; barred white underparts; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Widespread breeder across Siberia, Russia, and northeast Asia; winters to Southeast Asia and Australia. Brood parasite targeting warblers and flycatchers. Insectivore. Long-distance migratory cuckoo.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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