The Bornean ground cuckoo is a large terrestrial species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is, as suggested by its common name, endemic to the island of Borneo, being found in the sections belonging to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is restricted to humid forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Sumatran ground cuckoo.
Region
Borneo, Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and older secondary lowland and hill dipterocarp forests across Borneo, including parts of Brunei, Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), and Indonesian Kalimantan. It favors dense, humid interiors with thick leaf litter and often keeps close to quiet stream gullies and ravines. The species is highly sensitive to logging and fragmentation and is rarely recorded in heavily disturbed habitats. Peat-swamp and riverine forests are also used where intact structure remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy, terrestrial cuckoo is found only on the island of Borneo and is rarely seen, more often detected by its deep, booming calls. It was formerly lumped with the Sumatran ground cuckoo but is now recognized as a distinct species. It forages on the forest floor and may sometimes follow larger mammals to snatch prey they flush. Ongoing loss of lowland rainforest is its primary threat.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, moving quietly through understory and along forest floor. Pairs maintain territories and communicate with far-carrying calls. Nesting is believed to be in dense vegetation or low shrubs, with both adults likely involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of deep, resonant booming notes, often rendered as repeated 'oom' calls, that carry long distances through dense forest. Pairs may duet, producing alternating notes. Soft grunts and clucks are given at close range when alarmed.
Plumage
Large, long-tailed ground cuckoo with dark olive-brown to blackish upperparts showing a slight metallic sheen, and paler buffy to rufous-tinged underparts. Long, graduated tail with darker center and paler edging, often showing pale tips in motion. Has a whitish throat variably bordered by darker mottling and areas of bare, bluish facial skin.
Diet
Primarily takes large insects such as beetles, cockroaches, katydids, and orthopterans, along with spiders, centipedes, earthworms, and snails. It also consumes small vertebrates, including frogs, lizards, and small snakes when available. Opportunistic foraging sometimes occurs near rooting bearded pigs or other mammals that flush prey from leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the shaded forest floor, along trails, stream banks, and in dense leaf litter. Prefers intact, undisturbed understory where it can move quietly and ambush prey.
