White-crowned Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Caliechthrus leucolophus compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute White-crowned Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Caliechthrus leucolophus Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.8 cm (13.7 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 112.75 g (3.98 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

White-crowned Cuckoo only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

White-crowned Cuckoo

Song

Loud, resonant call with musical quality; rich carrying notes building in sequence from forest perch.

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

White-crowned Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

White-crowned Cuckoo

Plumage

White-crowned Cuckoo: white crown; dark brown mantle; pale below; long dark tail; distinctive white crown contrasting dark body

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

White-crowned Cuckoo

White-crowned Cuckoo (Caliechthrus leucolophus) — 30–34 cm. Striking; black-and-white; white crown and underparts; black back and wings; long tail. Inhabits lowland forest and forest edge of New Guinea. Brood parasite; hosts include whistlers. 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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