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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