Caliechthrus leucolophus
The White-crowned Cuckoo, *Caliechthrus leucolophus*, is a striking medium-sized cuckoo endemic to New Guinea and nearby islands, distinguished by its unique appearance. Measuring 30-33 cm (12-13 inches) in length, its most prominent feature is a conspicuous snowy-white crest or crown that offers a stark contrast to its glossy black head and upperparts. The throat and upper breast are also black, transitioning to a greyish-white on the belly and undertail coverts, while a long tail often disp...
This cuckoo primarily inhabits tropical rainforests, including primary and secondary growth, and forest edges, typically found from lowlands up to approximately 1500 meters (4900 feet) in elevation. It prefers areas with dense foliage and often stays within the forest canopy.
Its diet mainly comprises insects, especially caterpillars (including hairy varieties), beetles, and grasshoppers, occasionally supplemented with small fruits. It primarily forages by gleaning from foliage and branches within the forest canopy.
The White-crowned Cuckoo is generally solitary or found in pairs, often remaining secretive and challenging to observe within the dense forest canopy, though its loud vocalizations frequently betray its presence. It is an obligate brood parasite, laying its eggs, usually one per nest, into the ne...
The White-crowned Cuckoo is endemic to the island of New Guinea, where it is broadly distributed across both the Indonesian provinces (West Papua and Papua) and Papua New Guinea. Its range also extends to a few nearby satellite islands, such as Yapen. This species is a year-round resident through...
Least Concern
- The White-crowned Cuckoo is the sole member of its genus, *Caliechthrus*, making it a unique evolutionary branch within the cuckoo family. - This species is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, rather than building its own nest or raising its ...