Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Hierococcyx hyperythrus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Northern Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Hierococcyx hyperythrus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 39.7 cm (15.6 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 120.15 g (4.24 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Northern Hawk-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.

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Philippines.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Least Concern

Northern Hawk-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

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo: gray-brown above; white below with rufous streaking; hawk-like; long tail; yellow eye-ring; northern Asia

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.

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx hyperythrus) — 29–32 cm. Grey above; rufous-orange breast graduating to barred belly; barred tail. Breeds in Russia and Korea; winters to Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting bush-warblers and flycatchers. Insectivore. Long-distance migrant.

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