Lesser Cuckoo
Cuculus poliocephalus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="cuculus-poliocephalus"></birdfyi-bird>About
Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) — 25–28 cm. Grey above; whitish below with black barring; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Migratory; breeds across South and East Asia from Afghanistan to Japan; winters to East Africa and South Asia. Brood parasite targeting warblers. Insectivore.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 30.8 cm | 12.1 in |
| Weight | 51.5 g | 1.82 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Lesser Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; slender; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; smaller than Common Cuckoo
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 14 days. Fledging: 15 days.
Sound
Song
Loud, far-carrying call; penetrating resonant notes given repeatedly from dense African forest canopy.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes (Cuckoos) |
| Family | Cuculidae (Cuckoos) |
| Genus | Cuculus |
| Species | Cuculus poliocephalus |
Distribution
Lesser Cuckoo has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lesser Cuckoo endangered?
How does the Lesser Cuckoo nest?
What does the Lesser Cuckoo sound like?
How big is the Lesser Cuckoo?
What order and family does the Lesser Cuckoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cuculidae family