Black Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Cuculus clamosus comparé à Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Black Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Nom scientifique Cuculus clamosus Cuculus gularis
Ordre Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Famille Cuculidae Cuculidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 36,2 cm (14.3 in) 41,8 cm (16.5 in)
Poids 86,86666666666667 g (3.06 oz) 105,0 g (3.70 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- --
Taille de la couvée -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Black Cuckoo only

Aucun(e)

African Cuckoo only

Aucun(e)

Song & Call Comparison

Black Cuckoo

Chant

Loud, nasal call with bubbling quality; distinctive resonant notes carrying through dense African forest.

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.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Black Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Black Cuckoo

Plumage

Black Cuckoo: all glossy black; red eye; occasionally rufous undertail; slender; long dark tail; sexually monomorphic dark plumage

African Cuckoo

Plumage

African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common

About These Birds

Black Cuckoo

Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) — 28–32 cm. Entirely glossy black; slender build; long tail; slightly decurved bill. Inhabits forest, woodland, and dense savanna across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting bulbuls, shrikes, and other passerines. Insectivore; specialises in hairy caterpillars. Identified by its mournful 'I'm so sad' call.

African Cuckoo

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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