Buff-headed Coucal vs Sulawesi Cuckoo
Centropus milo compared with Cuculus crassirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-headed Coucal | Sulawesi Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus milo | Cuculus crassirostris |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.8 cm (20.8 in) | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) |
| Weight | 766.0 g (27.02 oz) | 85.0 g (3.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Buff-headed Coucal
Deep, resonant booming call; powerful hollow notes carrying far across Melanesian lowland forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Sulawesi Cuckoo
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
Buff-headed Coucal
Sulawesi Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Buff-headed Coucal
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus
About These Birds
Buff-headed Coucal
Buff-headed Coucal (Centropus milo) — 58–65 cm. Massive coucal; jet-black body; pale buff-yellow head and neck; heavy decurved bill. Endemic to the Solomon Islands in lowland forest and dense scrub. Non-parasitic; builds a domed grass nest. Omnivore hunting large insects, lizards, frogs, and small mammals. One of the largest coucals globally.
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.