General

Channel-billed Cuckoo: Large gray cuckoo with large black-gray bill with straw-colored tip. Slate gray on back and upper wings, medium-gray on head and breast, and white-gray on belly and vent. Head with red around eye. Long, pointed wings with black spots and black trailing edge. Long tail with black and white tip. Rather short gray legs and feet. Large bill is used to pick fruit and large insects off of the foliage of tall trees. This cuckoo species also takes nestlings of other bird species.

Breeding and Nesting

Channel-billed Cuckoo: One or two eggs are laid in nests of such host species as currawongs, Australian Magpies, and crows. Eggs vary in size and shape but tend to resemble those of the host. The incubation time is unknown and carried out by the host species. The male distracts the host to help the female sneak in to the nest to lay her eggs.

Foraging and Feeding

Channel-billed Cuckoo: Feeds on fruits, especially figs, large insects, and will also prey on nestlings of other bird species. This large cuckoo mostly forages in the canopy and tall trees for fruit and other food items by picking them off of the foliage.

Vocalization

Channel-billed Cuckoo: Species is quite loud, emiting repeated "gaak" calls, high nasal and bubbly trumpeting calls.

Similar Species

Channel-billed Cuckoo: Unlikely to be confused with any other species in this range.