Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo vs Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Coccyzus vetula compared with Hierococcyx bocki

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo Dark Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus vetula Hierococcyx bocki
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 24.1 cm (9.5 in) 35.9 cm (14.1 in)
Weight 95.5 g (3.37 oz) 137.0 g (4.83 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo only

None

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Song

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

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

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Least Concern

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo

Plumage

Black-billed Cuckoo: olive-brown above; white below; black bill; long dark tail; white-buff tipped tail; North American migrant

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

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.

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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