Black Cuckoo vs Sulawesi Cuckoo
Cuculus clamosus compared with Cuculus crassirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Cuckoo | Sulawesi Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus clamosus | Cuculus crassirostris |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.2 cm (14.3 in) | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) |
| Weight | 86.86666666666667 g (3.06 oz) | 85.0 g (3.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black Cuckoo
Loud, nasal call with bubbling quality; distinctive resonant notes carrying through dense African forest.
Sulawesi Cuckoo
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
Black Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black Cuckoo
Black Cuckoo: all glossy black; red eye; occasionally rufous undertail; slender; long dark tail; sexually monomorphic dark plumage
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus
About These Birds
Black Cuckoo
Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) — 28–32 cm. Entirely glossy black; slender build; long tail; slightly decurved bill. Inhabits forest, woodland, and dense savanna across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting bulbuls, shrikes, and other passerines. Insectivore; specialises in hairy caterpillars. Identified by its mournful 'I'm so sad' call.
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.