Bird Guide

Andaman Coucal vs Malagasy Coucal

Andaman Coucal (Centropus andamanensis)

Andaman Coucal

Centropus andamanensis

Medium234 gForest

It is a large coucal, with males being around 380–400 mm (12.6-15.7 inches) and females somewhat larger at 400–420 mm (15.7-16.5 inches) in length. Structurally, it closely resembles the greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), except that its plumage is a fawn brown as opposed to the black with bluish-purple sheen seen in C. sinensis. It has a chestnut rear mantle and wings and the head is pale tawny brown. The mantle and breast grade from pale to dark brown on the belly and vent. The iris is pale brown. The tail is a pale brown at the base and dark violet-brown towards the tip.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Кирилл · CC BY 4.0
Malagasy Coucal (Centropus toulou)

Malagasy Coucal

Centropus toulou

Medium166 gForest

The Malagasy coucal is a medium-sized bird with the adult length being in the range 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in). The male is smaller than the female, weighing about 140 g (5 oz) to the female's 190 g (7 oz), but otherwise the sexes are similar in appearance. In breeding plumage the bird is black, glossed with green, except for the tips of its wings which are brown and its mid and lower back which are reddish brown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Frank Vassen · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andaman Coucal and Malagasy Coucal.