Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo

Coccyzus vetula compared with Cuculus crassirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo Sulawesi Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus vetula Cuculus crassirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 24.1 cm (9.5 in) 41.2 cm (16.2 in)
Weight 95.5 g (3.37 oz) 85.0 g (3.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo only

None

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call with melodic quality; clear rich notes given from tall forest tree.

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

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Jamaican Lizard-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

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo (Coccyzus vetula) — 37–42 cm. Brown above; cinnamon-buff underparts; long tail with bold white tips; bare red orbital skin. Endemic to Jamaica in forest and wooded scrub. Non-parasitic; specialised lizard hunter, hence the name. Also eats large insects and small vertebrates.

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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