Fan-tailed Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Cacomantis flabelliformis compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Fan-tailed Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis flabelliformis Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.4 cm (10.8 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 53.8 g (1.90 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Fan-tailed Cuckoo only

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Fan-tailed Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; rufous-orange breast; white-tipped tail feathers; yellow eye-ring; fan-shaped tail display

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

About These Birds

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) — 24–28 cm. Grey above; rich rufous-orange below; yellow orbital ring; tail with white spots. Found in forest, woodland, and heath across Australia, New Guinea, and SW Pacific islands. Brood parasite targeting thornbills, scrubwrens, and gerygones. Insectivore.

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.

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