Sunda Cuckoo vs Lesser Roadrunner
Cuculus lepidus compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sunda Cuckoo | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus lepidus | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.0 cm (12.2 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Sunda Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Sunda Cuckoo
Lesser Roadrunner
How to Tell Them Apart
Sunda Cuckoo
Sunda Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Sunda islands endemic cuckoo
Lesser Roadrunner
About These Birds
Sunda Cuckoo
Sunda Cuckoo (Cuculus lepidus) — 28–31 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring. Restricted to montane forest of the Greater Sundas — Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Closely related to and formerly lumped with Himalayan and Oriental cuckoos.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.