Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Cercococcyx montanus compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cercococcyx montanus | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 29.3 cm (11.5 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 58.0 g (2.05 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo only
Lesser Ground-cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense humid forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo: brown above; pale below with dark barring; very long graduated dark barred tail; red eye; barred pattern
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner: boldly streaked brown above; white-cream below with dark streaks; long tail; shaggy crest; bare facial skin; fast runner
About These Birds
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; whitish below with bold dark barring throughout; long tail. Inhabits montane forest undergrowth in East and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Skulking; identified by its high-pitched whistled song.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) — 28 cm. Brown above; chestnut rump; whitish underparts; bare blue orbital skin. Inhabits dry and semi-arid scrub from Mexico to Costa Rica. Non-parasitic; builds its own nest in low shrubs. Runs on the ground hunting large insects, lizards, and amphibians. Monotypic genus endemic to Mesoamerica.