Large Cuckoo

This group of cuckoo don't have much in common. Even their size is very different, although they are all much larger than the bronze and medium sized cuckoo. They all have quite remarkable traits and I always love seeing them.

Pheasant Coucal

The Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) is a very large cuckoo with striking plumage and a huge pheasant-like tail. It is the only species that is not parasitic and I tip my hat to a cuckoo that can be bothered to raise its own chicks! It is rather elusive, often skulking around in dense forests and bush. Even the deep booming call is easy to over look. However, if you see one out in the open then it is totally magic. The male bird is darker (pictured above) than the female (pictured below).

Pacific Koel

The Pacific Koel (Eudynamys orientalis) is quite incredible. The male is jet black with a red eye, while the female is an assortment of colours, patterns and shades. They are migratory, only appearing in Australia during the summer. You certainly know when they have arrived as they have an incredible call, worthy of any spooky film. They are very creative in harassing host birds like the Australian Figbird as the male will distract them, giving the female opportunity to lay her eggs. This cuckoo can be found in wooded areas, high in the canopy. There is often quite a ruckus going on around them. 

Channel-billed Cuckoo

The Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae) is unfeasibly large cuckoo with a huge bill. You don't really need a field guide to identify this creature. I am still trying to get cracker shots but consider myself very lucky to have seen them. The red eye is stunning as well. They are migratory and only visit Australia to breed. Given their size, they have to choose hosts from much larger birds than other cuckoos. They prefer ravens and currawongs.