Sahul Brush Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo
Cacomantis variolosus compared with Cuculus gularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sahul Brush Cuckoo | African Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacomantis variolosus | Cuculus gularis |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.1 cm (9.1 in) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 35.0 g (1.23 oz) | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Sahul Brush Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh nasal quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Sahul Brush Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Sahul Brush Cuckoo
Sahul Brush Cuckoo: brown above; pale buff below; long dark tail; yellow-green orbital ring; Sahul region Australasian species
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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.
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.