samchang

Kowloon Park, 22Jun. Is there any easy way to know if it is a Greater Coucal or Lesser Coucal?

John Holmes

Lesser Coucal is described in "HK Birds" (1974 edition) by G. Herklots as "..smaller size, somewhat duller colours and more streaky appearance..".

I think this is a Greater Coucal.

samchang

John, thanks. The problem I got is, all those characteristics are basically comparative description. If I got a chance to see both together, maybe I understand the difference. But with single entity in a picture, I wonder if there is anything more specific that can help to identify it.

kkchang168

Is eyes of Greater Councal is red while eyes of Lesser Councal is black?

ajohn

Yes, iris colour is different - adult Greater Coucal have bright red eyes (as on this bird).
The other good indicator on this bird is the mantle (back) - this bird is very plain brown, whereas Lesser Coucal would normally show paler streaks on the centre of the feathers.

And habitat is always useful - Lesser Coucal is unusual away from areas of dry grassland (mostly on the hills in HK) and would be very unusual in an urban park. Greater is common in any shrubby area, especially lowlands, and would not be surprising in Kowloon Park.

samchang

Thanks for the detail explanation!