The Channel-billed Cuckoo breeds from eastern Indonesia to northern and eastern Australia and winters in Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands. It is found in rainforest and woodland and near the coast inland from mangroves as in this case.

It has a huge bill with a dark grey base and paler tip. It has red skin around the eye and the tail has a black subterminal band and a white tip.

They paratisise large birds such as crows, Australian Magpies, Currawongs and butcherbirds.