Discover Nature at JCU Animals Birds by scientific name Cuculus saturatus

Cuculus saturatus

oriental cuckoo

(Oriental cuckoo)

FAMILY

Cuculidae

Species

Cuculus saturatus

Common name

Oriental cuckoo

Main colour(s)

Grey with barred underparts

Distinctive feature

Low flying near thick foliage, body 32.5 cm long

Campus

Townsville

Description

This low flying cuckoo has been occasionally seen on campus near areas of thick foliage. The average size is 32.5 cm long. This large grey cuckoo has the underparts barred in white and brown, the tail is brownish-black spotted with white. Legs and feet are yellow, eyes are dark brown ringed with pale yellow, bill is dark. Photograph by courtesy of Ian Montgomery, www.birdway.com.au