Cocos Cuckoo vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Coccyzus ferrugineus compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cocos Cuckoo | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus ferrugineus | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 70.0 g (2.47 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Cocos Cuckoo
Loud, resonant melodic call; rich notes building in musical sequence through dense tropical 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
Cocos Cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Cocos Cuckoo
Black-bellied Cuckoo: rufous above; black belly; white throat; red orbital ring; long rufous tail; yellow-green bill; neotropical
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
Cocos Cuckoo
Cocos Cuckoo (Coccyzus ferrugineus) — 31–35 cm. Richly rufous-brown above; cinnamon-buff below; graduated tail; yellow lower mandible. Endemic to Cocos Island, Costa Rica (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Non-parasitic. Insectivore. Vulnerable due to its extremely restricted range and introduced predators.
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.