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Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) Alternate name(s): "Ash-coloured Cuckoo", "Ash-tailed Cuckoo", "Stormbird*" Aboriginal name(s): "doolar" (SW WA) Size: 24-28 cm; wing span: ca. 42 cm Body mass: 42-65 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.17-0.19

Australia: Family Group 13 Family Group 13 Table Oriental Cuckoo Pallid Cuckoo Brush Cuckoo Black-eared Cuckoo Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Fan-tailed Cuckoo Horsefield's Bronze-Cuckoo Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Little Bronze-Cuckoo Australian Koel Channel-billed Cuckoo Pheasant Coucal Rufous Owl Powerful Owl Barking Owl Australian Boobook Eastern Barn Owl Eastern Grass Owl Australian Masked Owl Greater Sooty Owl Lesser Sooty Owl Marbled Frogmouth Tawny Frogmouth Papuan Frogmouth White-throated Nightjar Spotted Nightjar Large-tailed Nightjar Australian Owlet-nightjar Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Thumbnails page Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Fan-tailed Cuckoos are medium-sized cuckoos. The head and back are mid-to- dark grey, while the front is fawn-chestnut brown. The colours of the frontal plumage can vary greatly, from a pale fawn-chestnut to deep chestnut. In general, males have the brighter (all light-rufous) underparts compared to females (where the belly, vent and undertail coverts are grey). Both sexes have dark grey-brown wings and the typical heavily barred grey-and-white undertail of many Australian cuckoo species. The eye-rings are yellow. Fan-tailed Cuckoos have dark irises, a dark-grey bill and yellowish-grey legs and feet. The wings have the narrow white leading edge on the shoulders typical of many Australian cuckoo species. Twitcher's tip They are distinguished from Brush Cuckoos by their darker overall appearance (both front and back), their yellow eye-rings and the notched, wedge-shaped tail.

Taxonomy, classification See Fan-tailed Cuckoo at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo is available HERE . Fan-tailed Cuckoos, when not in Australia, are found on the tropical islands of eastern Indonesia (West Papua), New Guinea, New Caledonia and Fiji. Fan-tailed Cuckoos migrate to Australia from the North, along the Torres Strait and the eastern half of Cape York peninsula, down the east coast. They populate eastern QLD and NSW in an area about half the width of NSW, plus all of VIC, progressing further west through coastal SA to at least Eyre peninsula. There is also a breeding population in the south-western corner of the continent and it is surmised (but not firmly established) that these birds reach the South-West by crossing the Nullarbor along the South coast. They also cross the Bass Strait to populate all of Tasmania. They are also present on Lord Howe Island. Fan-tailed Cuckoos can usually be found in forest and more open woodland.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Our first spotting of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo was in our former garden, 20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, in January 2006, on a day with 40 C heat, during which lots of birds made use of the shade of the trees and water provided in bowls. A Fan-tailed Cuckoo was next spotted by us South of Maules Creek, NSW, in October 2006. Further sightings followed on the western fringes of Mt. Kaputar NP, in Deriah Aboriginal Area, 30 km East of Narrabri. First spotted there in April 2008, then again in early August 2008 (i.e. in wintertime) and since then seen there semi-regularly all year round. Since we know their call, we have come to notice that Fan-tailed Cuckoos are very common in the forests and woodlands of the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Fan-tailed Cuckoos have been observed by us and various contributors in many different locations along the East coast of Australia, ranging from northern QLD to southern NSW. C. Pears reports finding Fan-tailed Cuckoos regularly in Perth, WA. J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours reports spotting a Fan-tailed Cuckoo at Adels Grove, near Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, in August 2020. M. Eaton spotted several Fan-tailed Cuckoos in various locations on Cape York peninsula, which is at the northern end of the species' range.

Photos

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Note how the female's colours, on the right, are paler than the male's.

MALE

Close-up frontal view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo; note the all pale-rufous front
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Adels Grove, near Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, August 2020]

Frontal view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo that has probably just been preening looking sideways
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dundowran Beach, Hervey Bay, QLD, May 2018]

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2026]

Close-up view of a rescued male Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of K. Matchett)
[Ettalong Beach, NSW, May 2013]

Near-lateral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo in shady undergrowth; note the rich rufous colour, which makes this individual in particular very similar to a Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, while Brush Cuckoos are much paler
[Near Maules Creek, NSW, October 2006]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo with the sunlight falling in from behind
[Near Maules Creek, NSW, October 2006]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo; note the impressive "pantaloons" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo illuminated from behind
[Cattai Wetlands, Coopernook, NSW, October 2023]

Lateral view of a male(?) Fan-tailed Cuckoo in dense vegetation (photo courtesy of C. Charles)
[Near Coolum, QLD, January 2013]

Close-up lateral/ventral view of a male Fan-tailed Cuckoo
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2026]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo that has probably just been preening (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dundowran Beach, Hervey Bay, QLD, May 2018]

Near-frontal view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, May 2024]

Near-frontal view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo; note the faint vermiculation (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo
[Cottan-Bimbang NP, NSW, October 2023]

Lateral view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, May 2024]

Near-dorsal view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2023]

Dorsal view of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, November 2023]

Sex unknown

Near-lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of B. Kinross)
[Beachmere, QLD, September 2015]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Kinkuna section, Burrum Coast NP, near Bundaberg, QLD, October 2015]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Kinkuna section, Burrum Coast NP, near Bundaberg, QLD, October 2015]

Near-dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo with an unhappy Jacky Winter (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, January 2019]

Close-up dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo hiding in a bottlebrush tree
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, February 2006]

Dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Kinkuna section, Burrum Coast NP, near Bundaberg, QLD, October 2015]

Dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, October 2021]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Near Old Bar, NSW, February 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Terry Hie Hie, NSW, March 2014]

Near-lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage; this individual is very grey (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage; this individual is very grey (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage; this individual is very grey (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Near Old Bar, NSW, February 2018]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, January 2015]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, January 2015]

Lateral view of a juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, January 2015]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Migratory/dispersive

Elementary unit: Solitary

Like basically all cuckoos, Fan-tailed Cuckoos host on somewhat smaller birds. An example is shown below.

Together with the Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoos are one of only two species of parasitic cuckoos in Australia that can stay in the cooler southern part of the continent during the southern winter. The others will migrate to the North.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo being challenged by a potential host, a New Holland Honeyeater
[Wybung Head, Munmorah SCA, NSW, June 2009]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo; they often sit in shady places, making it hard to find them, even though they may be calling continuously - click on image for a brightness/contrast-enhanced version of the photo to "find the bird"...
[Mt. Kaputar NP, NSW, September 2012]

Food, Diet

Like most other small cuckoos, Fan-tailed Cuckoos are insect hunters. They take their prey from foliage and from the ground.

Near-lateral view of a young Fan-tailed Cuckoo with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoos with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, May 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Fan-tailed Cuckoos with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, September 2018]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

fantail_20171022_1.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact call (male)	© MD
fantail_me_20230915.mp3	(SE QLD)	Contact calls (male)	© ME
fantail_20150620.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls (male)	© MD
fantail_20240120.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls (male)	© MD
fantail_20171022.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls Q&A (males)	© MD
fantail_20150620_2.m4a	(NW NSW)	Q&As (males)	© MD
fantail_20171022_3.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls Q&A (males)	© MD
fantail_20181024.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls Q&As (male & female)	© MD
fantail_20150618.mp3	(NW NSW)	Contact call (female)	© MD
fantail_20210409.m4a	(NW NSW)	Various (pair?)	© MD
fantail_20150905.m4a	(NW NSW)	? (female)	© MD
fantail_20210402.m4a	(NW NSW)	? (female at night)	© MD
fantail_20240610.m4a	(NW NSW)	? (female at night)	© MD

More Fan-tailed Cuckoo sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.