Lesser Roadrunner vs Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Geococcyx velox compared with Surniculus lugubris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Roadrunner | Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geococcyx velox | Surniculus lugubris |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) |
| Weight | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) | 31.65 g (1.12 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Lesser Roadrunner only
None
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo only
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh penetrating quality; rough notes given from tall forest tree. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Lesser Roadrunner
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Lesser Roadrunner
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black; square-cut tail; drongo mimic; pale tail tips; red eye; southeast Asian drongo mimic
About These Birds
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.
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) — 24–27 cm. Glossy blue-black overall; white vent barring; square-cut tail. Inhabits forest from the Himalayas through the Malay Peninsula to Borneo and the Philippines. Brood parasite mimicking drongos to penetrate nesting territories. Insectivore.