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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Coucal
Chant
Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.
Black Coucal
Chant
Melodic, flute-like phrase with musical quality; clear rich notes cascading pleasantly from Madagascar forest.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Statut de conservation
Least Concern
Andaman Coucal
Least Concern
Black Coucal
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Coucal
Plumage
Chinese Coucal: dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; streaked in winter plumage; Asian species
Black Coucal
Plumage
Brown Coucal: dark brown above; rufous-brown wings; buff below; long brown tail; orange-red eye; brownish plumage; African species
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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.
Black Coucal (Centropus grillii) — 30–35 cm. Entirely glossy black with chestnut wings in breeding plumage; non-breeding birds streaked brown. Found in tall grass and reed beds across sub-Saharan Africa. Non-parasitic; notable for reverse sex roles — female larger, male incubates and raises young. Insectivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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