Shining Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx lucidus
Silhouette: Nicolas Huet le Jeune and Jean-Gabriel Prêtre (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCuculiformes (Cuckoos)
- FamilyCuculidae (Cuckoos)
- GenusChrysococcyx (Emerald Cuckoos and allies)
- SpeciesChrysococcyx lucidus (Shining Cuckoo)
About the Shining Cuckoo
The shining bronze cuckoo or pīpīwharauroa (Chalcites lucidus) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae, found in Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It was formerly placed in the genus Chrysococcyx.
It is a very small cuckoo, being only 13 to 18 cm (5.1 to 7.1 in) in length, and parasitises chiefly dome-shaped nests of various Gerygone species, having a range that largely corresponds with the distribution of that genus. It may also parasitise other Acanthizidae species, and is also the most southerly ranging brood parasitic bird species in the world, extending to at least 46°S in New Zealand.
Hard to spot and easier to hear, the shining bronze cuckoo is 13–18 cm (5.1–7.1 in) in overall length, has a wingspan of 25–32 cm (9.8–12.6 in) and weighs around 25 g (0.88 oz). It is slightly larger than Horsfield's bronze cuckoo (Chalcites basalis). It has metallic golden or coppery green upperparts and white cheeks and underparts barred with dark green. The female is similar with a more purplish sheen to the crown and nape and bronzer-tinged barring on the belly. The bill is black and the feet are black with... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Shining Cuckoo in Royal National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Royal National Park
Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx basalis
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Scythrops novaehollandiae
Pacific Koel
Eudynamys orientalis
Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopaceus
Rusty-breasted Cuckoo
Cacomantis variolosus
Pheasant Coucal
Centropus phasianinus
Oriental Cuckoo
Cuculus optatus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Island National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Egmont National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 4 | Tongariro National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 5 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Noosa National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 12 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 13 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 14 | Aoraki Mount Cook National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 15 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 16 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 17 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 18 | Booderee National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 19 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 20 | Arthur's Pass National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 21 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 22 | Flinders Chase | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 23 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Shining Cuckoo in Royal National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Shining Cuckoo sighting in Royal National Park, based on 162 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Shining Cuckoo in Royal National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Shining Cuckoo in Royal National Park in our monthly data.