Black-billed Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Centropus bernsteini compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-billed Coucal Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus bernsteini Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 37.2 cm (14.6 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 162.5 g (5.73 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Black-billed Coucal only

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Black-billed Coucal

Song

Loud, clear whistled call with carrying quality; rich musical notes audible through dense humid forest.

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

Black-billed Coucal

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Black-billed Coucal

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

Black-billed Coucal

Black-billed Coucal (Centropus bernsteini) — 40–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; all-black bill. Restricted to northern and western New Guinea in lowland forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore.

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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