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The red-chested cuckoo, known scientifically as Cuculus solitarius, is a medium-sized bird that graces the African skies south of the Sahara. With a length of about 31 cm, the male boasts slate-grey upper parts and a pale grey throat, with the sides of his head complementing his dark grey tail, which is tipped with white. His breast is a striking rufous or cinnamon, occasionally barred, leading to a creamy-white or pale buff belly. The female mirrors the male in plumage, though her breast is a tad duller and may show varying degrees of barring.
When attempting to identify the red-chested cuckoo, look for the distinctive rufous or cinnamon breast in males, which can sometimes be barred. The slate-grey upper parts and pale grey throat are also key characteristics. Females are similar but with a duller breast color and more variable barring.
The red-chested cuckoo favors woodlands as its preferred habitat, thriving in the lush greenery that these environments provide.
This bird's range is extensive across the African continent, from Angola to Zimbabwe, including countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. In Southern Africa, it is a common breeding migrant, though it tends to avoid the drier western regions.
