Pheasant Cuckoo vs Guira Cuckoo
Dromococcyx phasianellus compared with Guira guira
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pheasant Cuckoo | Guira Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dromococcyx phasianellus | Guira guira |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 88.48333333333333 g (3.12 oz) | 141.73333333333335 g (5.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivore of open South American country; eats large insects, small frogs, lizards, and bird eggs. … |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Pheasant Cuckoo
Deep, guttural croaking call; resonant low notes carrying across open South American tropical forest edge.
Guira Cuckoo
Loud, gurgling call with hollow quality; distinctive multi-tonal sound carrying across open African savanna.
Geographic Range & Migration
Pheasant Cuckoo
Guira Cuckoo
Found in open habitats across South America east of the Andes from Brazil to Argentina. Resident and gregarious.
Conservation Status
Pheasant Cuckoo
Guira Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pheasant Cuckoo
Dromococcyx pheasant cuckoo: richly barred rufous and brown above; pale buff below; long graduated rufous-barred tail; peacock-eye pattern
Guira Cuckoo
Broad-billed Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; broadly barred white below; wide bars; reddish eye; Australian bronze cuckoo
About These Birds
Pheasant Cuckoo
Pheasant Cuckoo (Dromococcyx phasianellus) — 35–40 cm. Streaked brown; long graduated rufous tail barred black; pale buff below. Humid tropical forest from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. Brood parasite targeting antbirds and small passerines. Skulking; rarely observed despite its loud whistled song. Insectivore.
Guira Cuckoo
A distinctive, socially gregarious cuckoo (36-42 cm) found in open habitats across South America east of the Andes. Shaggy orange-rufous crest, streaked plumage, and long tail. Omnivore, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and eggs. Often seen in noisy family groups.