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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Javan Coucal
Chant
Loud, far-carrying melodic call; clear resonant notes given repeatedly from dense forest in Southeast Asia.
African Cuckoo
Chant
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African 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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Statut de conservation
Vulnerable
Javan Coucal
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Javan Coucal
Plumage
Rufous Coucal: entirely rich rufous-brown overall; long dark graduated tail; red eye; monochromatic rufous; Philippine endemic
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Javan Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus) — 40–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut wings; black head and underparts; long tail. Endemic to Java, Indonesia, in lowland forest, dense scrub, and wetland edges. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Vulnerable; severely threatened by Java's extreme habitat loss.
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.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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