Bornean Ground-Cuckoo
Carpococcyx radiceus
Secretive pheasant-like cuckoo that is more often heard than seen; listen for its dove-like “coo-KOO” song and odd sneeze-like call. Beautiful if seen well: iridescent purple-green wings, long dark tail, finely barred underparts, black head, and pale blue-green face and bill. Forages on the ground, often following ant swarms or Bornean bearded pigs as they flush out potential prey. Favors pristine lowland rainforests, particularly in riverine or swampy areas.
Taxonomy
The Bornean ground cuckoo was described as Calobates radiceus by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1832 based on a female specimen from Pontianak district in Borneo. In 1840, George Robert Gray established it as the type species of a new genus, Carpococcyx, because Calobates was similar to the fly genus Calobata. Additionally, it is also a junior homonym of the genus Calobates, established by the German naturalist Johann Jacob Kaup in 1829. The specific name, radiceus, is either from the Neo-Latin radius (rod or staff) or radicis (foundation). It is thought to be an error for radiatus or radiosus, with Temminck himself referring to the species by those names in other writings, but the original description does not provide enough evidence to emend the name. Nevertheless, some authorities use radiatus as the specific epithet.
- Scientific name
- Carpococcyx radiceus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1832)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Carpococcyx
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Saltator olivascens
Fairly common, but often retiring, in tropical lowlands of both drier and more humid areas in northern South America. Occurs from sea level to around 1,500 m elevation. Favors forest edge, second growth thickets, hedges, and tangles, especially with morning glory flowers, which it munches quietly. Note plain grayish coloration with browner vent and short white eyebrow. Despite the common name, adults have at best only a slight olivaceous tinge. Immature looks slightly different, with a yellowish wash to the face and upperparts. Listen for sweet song of short whistled phrases.
Yellow-vented Myzomela
Myzomela eichhorni
A small, mostly black bird with a decurved bill, a red throat patch, and a bright red rump. Tail black. Female similar, but duller brownish below. Found in any habitat with trees or shrubs. The only myzomela in its limited range. Voice is a loud, high-pitched “tseep-tseep.”
Cuban Gnatcatcher
Polioptila lembeyei
A small, energetic, gray-and-white bird that tends to waggle its long tail. Typically feeds low in dense scrub. Endemic to Cuba and offshore islands. Calls include a repeated “da-JIP,” a rapid squeaky “ji-ji-ji-ji-ji,” and a more classic gnatcatcher “zheee.” Note white face outlined with a thin black line, which readily distinguishes Cuban from Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
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