Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculus crassirostris compared with Hierococcyx varius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sulawesi Cuckoo | Common Hawk-Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus crassirostris | Hierococcyx varius |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) | 38.2 cm (15.0 in) |
| Weight | 85.0 g (3.00 oz) | 101.5 g (3.58 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| 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.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating far-carrying notes given from forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Sulawesi Cuckoo
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
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
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Common Hawk-Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; hawk-mimic; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; brain-fever bird
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.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) — 34–38 cm. Grey above; pale below with rufous streaking; hawk-like flight; barred tail. Widespread across the Indian subcontinent in forest, woodland, and plantation. Brood parasite targeting babblers. Insectivore. Its frantic rising call of 'brain-fever' is iconic in South Asian soundscapes.