Black-billed Cuckoo vs Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus compared with Hierococcyx bocki

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-billed Cuckoo Dark Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus erythropthalmus Hierococcyx bocki
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.4 cm (10.8 in) 35.9 cm (14.1 in)
Weight 53.20000000000001 g (1.88 oz) 137.0 g (4.83 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-5 --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Black-billed Cuckoo only

None

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Black-billed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep notes audible across dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in South Asia.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Black-billed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Black-billed Cuckoo

Plumage

Gray-capped Cuckoo: gray cap; brown above; pale below; graduated dark tail; South American species; forest cuckoo

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo: dark brown above; pale below with dense dark barring; hawk-like; long barred tail; yellow orbital ring; dark morph

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About These Birds

Black-billed Cuckoo

Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) — 26–31 cm. Brown above; white below; all-dark bill; narrow red orbital ring; tail with small white spots. Migratory breeder in eastern North America; winters in South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore specialising in tent caterpillars and other hairy larvae.

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx bocki) — 28–31 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with darker streaking; barred tail. Restricted to montane forest of the Malay Peninsula. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Rare; poorly documented.

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