Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo vs African Cuckoo

Cacomantis virescens compared with Cuculus gularis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo African Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis virescens Cuculus gularis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Not Evaluated Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.8 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 105.0 g (3.70 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo only

None

African Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes given repeatedly from forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

African Cuckoo

Song

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

Not Evaluated

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo: olive-brown above; pale buff below; long dark tail; yellow-green eye-ring; Sulawesi endemic brush cuckoo

African Cuckoo

Plumage

African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common

About These Birds

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis virescens) — 22–25 cm. Brown-olive above; rufous-buff below; yellow orbital skin; graduated tail. Endemic to Sulawesi and nearby islands. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. 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.

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