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.
Region
Australasia and Wallacea
Typical Environment
Breeds mainly in northern and eastern Australia and parts of coastal eastern Queensland and New South Wales. During the non-breeding season it migrates to New Guinea and eastern Indonesia, especially the Moluccas and nearby islands, and is an occasional vagrant farther afield. It favors open forests, eucalypt woodlands, riparian corridors, and edges, and readily uses parks and suburban gardens with fruiting trees. Often seen high in the canopy or flying between tall trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The channel-billed cuckoo is the largest cuckoo and the largest brood parasite in the world, and it is the sole member of the genus Scythrops. It lays its eggs in the nests of large passerines such as currawongs, crows, magpies, and butcherbirds. Adults are primarily frugivorous and often visit fruiting trees in suburban areas. Their loud, trumpeting calls are a hallmark of the austral spring in eastern Australia.
A juvenile, displaying the pale tipped feathers on the wings. In adults the tips are dark.
Channel-billed cuckoo juvenile being fed by the pied currawong (Strepera graculina) that raised it.
The channel-billed cuckoo's distinctive cross-shaped silhouette in flight
Temperament
noisy and conspicuous
Flight Pattern
strong flier with deep wingbeats and long glides
Social Behavior
A brood parasite that does not build its own nest; females lay eggs in the nests of large passerines such as currawongs, magpies, butcherbirds, and crows. Often travels in pairs or small family groups during migration and foraging. Adults may be mobbed by potential host species and other birds when moving through breeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Voice is a loud, trumpeting, far-carrying kaa-aaa or gawk-gawk series, often delivered in flight. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and during arrival on breeding grounds. Vocalizations can continue at night during peak movement periods.
