Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Calls & Song

The Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) is a medium-sized cuckoo found in Australia’s east, far south west and in Tasmania. They are also found in parts of New Guinea and on a number of Pacific islands. 

The most commonly heard call of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo is the ‘peeeer’ descending trill. This simple trilled song is a common sound of spring and summer within the breeding range of this species. They also make a few other calls including soft mournful ‘p-whee’ whistles, often when another bird is nearby. Female Fan-tailed Cuckoos make loud, shrill ‘chireee’ calls, sometimes in response to the call of a male. Although Fan-tailed Cuckoos call most frequently in the breeding season, they can also be heard at other times in the year and even at night.