Species · GBIF taxon 2496204
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Scythrops novaehollandiaeAlso known as Stormbird, Storm-bird, Channel-bill, Hornbill Cuckoo
Channel-billed Cuckoos are spectacular, prehistoric-looking giants that arrive in northern and eastern Australia each spring to breed. They announce their presence with incredibly loud, piercing shrieks, often earning them the local nickname of stormbirds. As the world's largest brood parasites, they lay their eggs in the nests of crows, magpies, and currawongs, which are then forced to raise the gargantuan chicks.
MigratoryLoudParasitic
Licensed referenceno rights reserved, uploaded by neotrigonia · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Figs
- Insects
- Bird eggs
Predators
- Large birds of prey
- Pythons
- Feral cats
ThreatsHabitat loss, decline of host species, and collisions with windows or vehicles during migration.
HabitatsEucalypt forests, woodlands, rainforest margins, and urban areas with fruiting trees.
Life spanTypically 10 to 15 years in the wild.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCuculidae
- SpeciesScythrops novaehollandiae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses a massive, powerful bill; observe from a distance and do not attempt to handle.
- Why it is dangerous
- The massive, curved bill is incredibly strong and can inflict a painful bite if the bird is cornered or injured.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by its enormous size, grey plumage, red eye-ring, and disproportionately large, toucan-like bill.
- What to do
- Never attempt to rescue or handle an injured adult without thick gloves and professional wildlife training.
Responsible observation
- Listen for calls: Their loud, raucous, screeching calls are often heard before rain or at night during the breeding season.
- Scan canopy tops: Look for their massive, toucan-like silhouettes perched high in fruiting fig trees.
- Watch host birds: Aggressive mobbing behavior by crows or currawongs often reveals a hidden cuckoo nearby.
Host Species JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Host Species (c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉 · cc-by
Host Species Richard Mc Donald / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.