Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Greater Roadrunner
Cuculus crassirostris compared with Geococcyx californianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sulawesi Cuckoo | Greater Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus crassirostris | Geococcyx californianus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) | 36.2 cm (14.3 in) |
| Weight | 85.0 g (3.00 oz) | 338.0 g (11.92 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Greater Roadrunner
Loud, far-carrying call; distinctive resonant notes audible across open terrain with remarkable carrying power.
Conservation Status
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner
How to Tell Them Apart
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus
Greater Roadrunner
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.
Greater Roadrunner
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) — 52–62 cm. Streaked brown-and-white; erectile crest; bare red-and-blue post-ocular patch; long tail. Inhabits deserts and chaparral of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Non-parasitic; carnivorous — eats rattlesnakes, lizards, scorpions, and birds. Runs up to 32 km/h; iconic bird of the Sonoran Desert.