Black-billed Cuckoo vs Laysan Albatross

The Black-billed Cuckoo and Laysan Albatross are easily distinguished by their size and habitat preferences. The Black-billed Cuckoo is a small, secretive bird found in densely wooded areas, while the Laysan Albatross is a large seabird typically seen over open ocean waters.

Size and habitat are the most reliable field marks: look for the small, forest-dwelling Black-billed Cuckoo versus the large, oceanic Laysan Albatross.

The Black-billed Cuckoo is much smaller than the Laysan Albatross.

The Black-billed Cuckoo is secretive and often silent, especially during migration, while the Laysan Albatross is more visible, often seen gliding over the ocean.

Black-billed Cuckoos are associated with densely wooded habitats, particularly coniferous forests, whereas Laysan Albatrosses are found over open ocean waters.

The Black-billed Cuckoo has a staccato, repetitive call 'cu-cu-cu cu-cu-cu', often heard during late spring evenings, while the Laysan Albatross's vocalizations are not noted here.