Channel-billed Cuckoo look-alikes
Scythrops novaehollandiae
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Channel-billed Cuckoo. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Koel (various species, e.g., Eastern Koel)
Eudynamys orientalis
Key differences
Koels are smaller (40-45 cm), have a much smaller, red eye, and a smaller, dark bill. Males are glossy black, and females are barred brown and white. Their calls are distinct, typically a loud 'koo-el' or 'coo-ee'.
Pheasant Coucal
Centropus phasianinus
Key differences
The Pheasant Coucal is a large, terrestrial cuckoo, but it builds its own nest and is not parasitic. It has a much shorter, darker bill, brown plumage (streaked in non-breeding, glossy black in breeding), and a long, pheasant-like tail. It is typically found in dense grassy or reedy habitats, not high in trees like the Channel-billed Cuckoo.
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