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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Cuculidae
  4. ›
  5. Scythrops
  6. ›
  7. Channel-billed Cuckoo
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Channel-billed Cuckoo

Scythrops novaehollandiaeLatham, 1790

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asGugurrguygung

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
CUCULIFORMES
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Scythrops

At a glance

The Channel-billed Cuckoo is a very large bird, about 56–70 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
56–70 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Channel-billed Cuckoo look like?

The Channel-billed Cuckoo is a very large bird, about 56–70 cm long and weighing 560–935 g.

The channel-billed cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is monotypic within the genus Scythrops. The species is the largest brood parasite in the world, and the largest cuckoo.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
56–70 cm
Weight
560–935 g
Wingspan
88 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Presence is often revealed by aggressive mobbing, where the cuckoo is chased and swooped through the canopy by groups of crows, magpies, or currawongs.

flight

  • In the air, this species shows a distinct 'cross-shaped' silhouette with long wings and a long tail, often resembling a large hawk or falcon.

plumage

  • Adults display a prominent patch of bare, bright red skin surrounding the eye; juveniles are distinguished by buff-washed plumage and the absence of this red eye-ring.
  • The long tail features a broad, black horizontal band near the end, finished with a crisp white tip at the very trailing edge.

size_and_shape

  • Look for the massive, deeply curved, hornbill-like bill which features a thick grey base and a pale straw-colored tip.

voice

  • Listen for an unmistakable, deafeningly loud and raucous 'kawk-kawk-kawk' screaming call, frequently heard at dawn, dusk, or during flight.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Channel-billed Cuckoo?

The Channel-billed Cuckoo is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

James Ray · Davis Rd before Pamela Pde, Marayong NSW 2148, Australia

Call

Natasha Taylor · Rocklea QLD 4106, Australia

Call

Tim · Balmoral, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia

Call

Bethlea Bell · Bouldercombe QLD 4702, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Channel-billed Cuckoo eat?

The Channel-billed Cuckoo feeds on fruit, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Channel-billed Cuckoo live in Australia?

The Channel-billed Cuckoo is native to Australia, recorded across 51 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingWallacea, north and east Australia and east Bismarck Arch.

Non-breedingNew Guinea, Wallacea, and the Greater Sundas

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Breeding
  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded