Sahul Brush Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Cacomantis variolosus compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sahul Brush Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis variolosus Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 23.1 cm (9.1 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 35.0 g (1.23 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sahul Brush Cuckoo only

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh nasal quality; penetrating 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

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Plumage

Sahul Brush Cuckoo: brown above; pale buff below; long dark tail; yellow-green orbital ring; Sahul region Australasian species

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

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Sahul Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) — 22–26 cm. Brown above; rufous-buff below; variable plumage; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Found in forest, mangroves, and secondary growth in New Guinea, north Australia, and Melanesia. Brood parasite targeting gerygones and other warblers. 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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