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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