Cacomantis castaneiventris
The Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris) is a captivating and secretive member of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, indigenous to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia. This medium-sized cuckoo typically measures between 22-25 cm (8.7-9.8 inches) in length and weighs approximately 30-40 grams. Adults are distinguished by a striking rich chestnut plumage covering their entire underparts, from the throat to the vent, which starkly contrasts with their dark g...
Primarily found in dense tropical rainforests, secondary growth, and dense scrub, often along watercourses, from lowlands up to approximately 1,800 meters elevation.
Feeds predominantly on insects, including a significant proportion of hairy caterpillars, as well as spiders and grasshoppers, often gleaning them from dense foliage.
A largely solitary and secretive bird, the Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo is diurnal, spending its days foraging quietly within the dense canopy and undergrowth. It employs a sit-and-wait foraging strategy, patiently scanning for insect prey before making a short sally to snatch it from foliage. Territ...
The Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo has a relatively widespread but somewhat disjunct distribution across the Australasian region. Its primary range encompasses most of New Guinea and numerous adjacent islands, including Yapen, the Aru Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago (New Britain, New Ireland, New...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it never builds its own nest or raises its young. - Its eggs are often remarkably similar in size and pattern to those of its host species, a classic example of evolutionary mimicry. - The cuckoo chick typically hatches quickly...