Grey-bellied Cuckoo vs Lesser Roadrunner
Cacomantis passerinus compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-bellied Cuckoo | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacomantis passerinus | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.6 cm (8.9 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 24.884999999999998 g (0.88 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Grey-bellied Cuckoo only
Lesser Roadrunner only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Loud, melodic call with musical resonant quality; rich notes building in sequence from forest canopy.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Lesser Roadrunner
How to Tell Them Apart
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Grey-bellied Cuckoo: gray above; pale gray-white below; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; female has rufous morph; southern Asia
Lesser Roadrunner
About These Birds
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Grey-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus) — 21–24 cm. Grey above; pale grey below; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits open woodland, forest edge, and scrub across South Asia and Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting tailorbirds, babblers, and other passerines. Insectivore.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.