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The channel-billed cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is monotypic within the genus Scythrops. The species is the largest brood parasite in the world, and the largest cuckoo.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The world's largest cuckoo, the channel-billed cuckoo measures between 56–70 cm (22–28 in) long, with a 88–107 cm (35–42 in) wingspan, and weighing between 560–935 g (1.235–2.061 lb). 24 adults were found to have averaged 684 g (1.508 lb) in body mass. According to a manual on avian body masses, another species of cuckoo, the buff-headed coucal, may have a mean body mass some 11% higher than the channel-billed cuckoo. The bill is bi-coloured, with a grey base becoming straw-coloured at the tip.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Channel-billed Cuckoo sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Sahul Brush CuckooCacomantis variolosusThe Sahul brush cuckoo is about 22–26 cm (8.7–10.2 in) long.
Learn the Channel-billed Cuckoo for real
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