Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Surniculus musschenbroeki

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Surniculus musschenbroeki
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 25.6 cm (10.1 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 29.7 g (1.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Moluccan 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.

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes carrying through dense humid forest in Southeast Asia.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Least Concern

Moluccan 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

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Plumage

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black overall; drongo-like forked tail; pale tail tips; red eye; Moluccas island endemic drongo-cuckoo

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.

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus musschenbroeki) — 24–27 cm. Glossy black; deeply forked tail; white vent barring. Endemic to the Moluccas and Sulawesi, Indonesia. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly studied.

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