Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Hierococcyx vagans

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Hierococcyx vagans
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 29.4 cm (11.6 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 58.2 g (2.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Moustached 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.

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous accelerating call; harsh notes building quickly in urgency given from forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Near Threatened

Moustached 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

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo: brown above; white below with rufous barring; moustachial stripe; hawk-like barred pattern; yellow eye-ring

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.

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx vagans) — 28–31 cm. Hawk-like; brown above; pale below with rufous-streaked breast; bold moustachial stripe; barred tail. Inhabits hill forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Brood parasite; mimics Accipiter sparrowhawks. Insectivore.

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