Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Pavonine Cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Dromococcyx pavoninus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Pavonine Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Dromococcyx pavoninus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 25.6 cm (10.1 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 47.25 g (1.67 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Pavonine Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

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.

Pavonine Cuckoo

Song

Loud, emphatic crowing call with harsh quality; resonant notes carrying well across open tropical forest edge.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Least Concern

Pavonine Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

Pavonine Cuckoo

About These Birds

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.

Pavonine Cuckoo

Pavonine Cuckoo (Dromococcyx pavoninus) — 26–30 cm. Rufous-brown above; barred tail; whitish underparts; bare facial skin. Inhabits humid Amazonian and Atlantic forest understorey from Venezuela south to Argentina. Brood parasite; crepuscular. Insectivore. Resembles Pheasant Cuckoo but smaller with distinctive peacock-eye tail spots when spread.

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