Brush Cuckoo

The brush cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus, is a bird of subtle beauty, its plumage a tapestry of earthy hues. Adult specimens typically measure between 22 to 26 centimeters in length. The species exhibits a pale grey head, a buff breast, and a grey-brown back. The tail is a distinctive brown, adorned with white tips and bars, and the eye is encircled by a narrow, pale ring. Olive-pink feet complete the ensemble. Juveniles are cloaked in a heavily barred dark brown plumage, a stark contrast to the adults' more muted tones.

Identification Tips

In the field, one may note the brush cuckoo's sharply pointed and backswept wings during flight. The underwings are grey-brown with pale buff underwing coverts and a white or pale buff bar.

Habitat

This species is known to frequent a variety of environments, including the dense foliage of rainforests, the transitional zones of rainforest edges, the tangled greenery of mangrove forests, secondary forests regenerating from disturbance, and even human-modified landscapes such as plantations.

Distribution

The brush cuckoo's domain spans across northern and eastern Australia, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Malaysia, and other islands to the north of Australia. Its presence is both resident and migratory, depending on the region, with some populations undertaking local migrations.

Breeding

The brush cuckoo does not build its own nest but instead relies on a variety of other bird species to raise its young. The species is known to parasitize at least 58 different avian species across Australia, with a smaller number of confirmed hosts observed raising cuckoo chicks to fledging. The female cuckoo is known to produce specific egg types to match those of her chosen hosts, a strategy to ensure the survival of her offspring.

Similar Species

The brush cuckoo can be mistaken for the pallid cuckoo, fan-tailed cuckoo, and chestnut-breasted cuckoo. However, its unique plumage and call can help distinguish it from these similar species.

Conservation status

The brush cuckoo is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival on a global scale.