Black-eared Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Chalcites osculans compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-eared Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chalcites osculans Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 23.0 cm (9.1 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 32.0 g (1.13 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-eared Cuckoo only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Black-eared Cuckoo

Song

Deep, resonant call with hollow quality; powerful low notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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-eared Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Black-eared Cuckoo

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-eared Cuckoo

Black-eared Cuckoo (Chalcites osculans) — 18–20 cm. Brown above with bronzy wash; distinctive black ear-patch; pale buff underparts with faint barring; white supercilium. Inhabits arid and semi-arid scrubland and mulga of inland Australia. Brood parasite targeting speckled warblers and other scrub-dwelling hosts. Insectivore.

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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