Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Cercococcyx mechowi compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cercococcyx mechowi Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 26.1 cm (10.3 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 57.0 g (2.01 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with hollow resonant quality; distinctive far-carrying notes through dense 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

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo: dark dusky brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; forest canopy specialist

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

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi) — 28–32 cm. Dark brown above; pale buff below with fine dark barring; very long graduated tail. Inhabits dense forest understorey across Central Africa. Brood parasite targeting ant-thrushes and other forest passerines. Insectivore. Secretive; more often heard than seen.

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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