Alternative name: White-crowned Koel
- Caliechthrus leucolophus
Cacomantis leucolophus
Identification
A little known Cuckoo from New Guinea. 33cm.
- Black plumage
- White stripe down crown
- Barred white undertail-coverts
- White tipped tail
Sexes similar. Juveniles are black above and barred white below.
Distribution
New Guinea and Salawati Island.
Frequently reported at Varirata National Park near Port Moresby.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species which is sometimes placed in its own genus Caliechthrus.
Habitat
Found in forests, mainly in canopy in hilly terrain. Occurs from sea-level up to 1500m.
Behaviour
Little known. Feeds mainly on insects like caterpillars. Takes also fruit. Forages in the canopy.
No information about breeding.
Vocalisation
A loud, mournful song of 3 or 4 descending whistles, getting higher in pitch and more insistent.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2023. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2023. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) White-crowned Cuckoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-crowned_Cuckoo
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
