Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo vs Lesser Roadrunner
Chalcites ruficollis compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcites ruficollis | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 22.25 g (0.78 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call with musical quality; rich notes given from dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo
Lesser Roadrunner
About These Birds
Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo
Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites ruficollis) — 15–17 cm. Bronze-green above; rufous throat and breast; barred flanks; pale undertail. Inhabits forest and dense scrub of New Guinea and nearby Melanesian islands. Brood parasite targeting gerygones. Insectivore.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.