Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo

Cercococcyx mechowi

Identification

33-36cm

• Dark brown upperparts
• Underparts barred brown and white
• Brown barred long tail
• White under-wing coverts

Distribution

Sierra Leone to Zaire and Angola.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1], the described subspecies occidentalis is usually not recognized^[3].

Habitat

Lowland forest. Usually in lower levels and in dense undergrowth, often near watercourses.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on insects, mainly caterpillars. Takes also small snails and seeds.

Breeding

Breeds in the rainy season. A brood parasitic. Some known hosts are Brown Illadopsis, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher and probably also Forest Robin.

Movements

A residents species. Some seasonal wandering recorded.

Vocalisation

Song: hit hit hit

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. 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
3. Avibase
4. The Avian Brood Parasites by Paul A. Johnsgard

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Dusky_Long-tailed_Cuckoo

External Links

Search for photos of Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo in the gallery