Bay-breasted Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Coccyzus rufigularis compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Bay-breasted Cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus rufigularis Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Endangered Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 36.2 cm (14.3 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 128.0 g (4.52 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Bay-breasted Cuckoo only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Bay-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep melodic notes audible across dense tropical forest in Africa.

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

Endangered

Bay-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Bay-breasted 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

Bay-breasted Cuckoo

Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) — 44–48 cm. Large; brown above; deep rufous-chestnut breast; white belly; long tail with white spots. Endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects. Endangered due to severe deforestation.

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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