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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Moluccan Cuckoo
Gesang
Loud, far-carrying call with raucous quality; harsh penetrating notes given from forest perch. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Cuckoo
Gesang
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Erhaltungsstatus
Least Concern
Moluccan Cuckoo
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Moluccan Cuckoo
Gefieder
Moluccan Cuckoo: dark olive-brown above; pale buff below; long dark graduated tail; yellow eye-ring; Moluccan island endemic
African Cuckoo
Gefieder
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Moluccan Cuckoo (Cacomantis aeruginosus) — 22–25 cm. Brown above with greenish gloss; pale buff-rufous below; yellow orbital ring. Endemic to the Moluccas, Indonesia. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore.
African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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