# Sahul Brush Cuckoo

> Sahul Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus). The Sahul brush cuckoo belongs to Cuculidae; voice, plumage and locality matter because common names and species limits in this group change.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cacomantis-variolosus/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/cacomantis-variolosus/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Sahul Brush Cuckoo (*Cacomantis variolosus*) is a bird in the family Cuculidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. Diet: insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Cacomantis variolosus* |
| Indonesian name | Wiwik rimba |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java |
| Taxonomic group | Cuculiformes |
| GBIF records | 7,757 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2496264) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars · [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## Important taxonomic note

Since the 2024 eBird taxonomy update, the Sahul brush cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) in its narrow sense occurs in the northern Moluccas, Timor and the eastern Lesser Sundas, and Papua. GBIF still files the Sunda brush cuckoo (C. sepulcralis) of Java and the western Lesser Sundas and the Sulawesi brush cuckoo (C. virescens) under this name, so many records on this page, especially from Java, refer to those species.

Evidence: [eBird — 2024 taxonomy update](https://science.ebird.org/en/use-ebird-data/the-ebird-taxonomy/2024-ebird-taxonomy-update)

## What is the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

Sahul Brush Cuckoo refers to Cacomantis variolosus, in the genus Cacomantis, family Cuculidae, and order Cuculiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2496264)

## What is known about the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

The Sahul brush cuckoo belongs to Cuculidae; voice, plumage and locality matter because common names and species limits in this group change.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush_cuckoo)

## How many Indonesian records name the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 7,757 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2496264&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2496264&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Sahul Brush Cuckoo with Plaintive Cuckoo, Lesser Coucal, Common Iora. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | *Cacomantis* |
| Species | *Cacomantis variolosus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Sahul Brush Cuckoo

### What is the scientific name of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

The scientific name of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo is *Cacomantis variolosus*, in the family Cuculidae and the order Cuculiformes. In Indonesian it is called Wiwik rimba.

### What kind of animal is the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

The Sahul Brush Cuckoo is a bird in the family Cuculidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars.

### Where does the Sahul Brush Cuckoo live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Java. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Sahul Brush Cuckoo eat?

The Sahul Brush Cuckoo is a insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus).

### How does the Sahul Brush Cuckoo reproduce?

The Sahul Brush Cuckoo reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Brood parasite: lays its eggs in other birds’ nests (e.g. fantails and gerygones), and the hosts incubate and raise the chick. Source: [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus).

### Is the Sahul Brush Cuckoo nocturnal?

The cited source records the Sahul Brush Cuckoo as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo?

Scientific classification of the Sahul Brush Cuckoo: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Cuculiformes, family Cuculidae, genus *Cacomantis*, species *Cacomantis variolosus*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Sahul Brush Cuckoo endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Sahul Brush Cuckoo is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2496264), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Sahul Brush Cuckoo is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2496264)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2496264&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [eBird — 2024 taxonomy update](https://science.ebird.org/en/use-ebird-data/the-ebird-taxonomy/2024-ebird-taxonomy-update)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1832)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush_cuckoo)
6. [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus)
7. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Plaintive Cuckoo](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cacomantis-merulinus/)
- [Lesser Coucal](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/centropus-bengalensis/)
- [Common Iora](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/aegithina-tiphia/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Sahul Brush Cuckoo. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cacomantis-variolosus/