Alternative names: Heinrich's Brush Cuckoo; Moluccan Brush Cuckoo; Heinrich's Cuckoo
- Cacomantis aeruginosus
Cacomantis heinrichi
Identification
A long time only known from specimens taken in 1931. However, recently rediscovered on Halmahera, Bacan and Seram. 23cm.
- Dark olive-brown upperparts
- Dark grey throat
- Dark rufous breast and belly
- Dark reddish undertail-coverts
Sexes similar. Juveniles are dark above and barred below.
Similar species
Differs from Brush Cuckoo in smaller size and wing length and in having brighter yellow feet. Brush cuckoo call (ssp. infaustus) generally slows and drops in pitch as it continues. Moluccan increases in stridency and does not drop in pitch.
Distribution
Endemic to Bacan, Buru, Halmahera, Morotai, Obi, Seram, Ternate and Tidore in the Moluccan Islands in Indonesia. Population little known but certainly declining due to habitat loss.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies recognized:
- C. a. heinrichi in Northern Moluccas (Halmahera, Bacan, and Obi)
- C. a. aeruginosus in Southern Moluccas (Buru, Ambon and Seram) and Sula Islands (Indonesia)
The subspecies aeruginosus was formerly included in Brush Cuckoo.
Habitat
Moist lowland forests and moist montanes.
Occurs at 1000 - 1500m but reported much lower on Bacan.
Behaviour
No information. Feeds probably on insects.
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. (2024) Moluccan Cuckoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 22 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Moluccan_Cuckoo
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
