Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Surniculus dicruroides

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Surniculus dicruroides
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 27.2 cm (10.7 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 34.96666666666667 g (1.23 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Fork-tailed Drongo-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.

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes given from tall forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Least Concern

Fork-tailed Drongo-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

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Plumage

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black; deeply forked tail; drongo mimic; pale tail base; red eye; southeast Asian species

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.

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) — 25–28 cm. Glossy black with forked tail; resembles drongo closely; fine white barring on vent. Found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia in forest and forest edge. Brood parasite; mimics drongos to approach host nests. Insectivore.

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