Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Cacomantis castaneiventris compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis castaneiventris Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 22.1 cm (8.7 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 31.5 g (1.11 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo only

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call with chestnut-breasted quality; deep hollow notes carrying through Pacific forest.

Indian Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Plumage

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo: rich chestnut breast; gray-brown above; pale belly; long dark tail; red orbital ring; bold chestnut breast

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species

About These Birds

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris) — 20–24 cm. Grey above; bright chestnut breast and belly; grey chin; yellow orbital ring. Restricted to rainforest and forest edge of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, and southern New Guinea. Brood parasite targeting gerygones. Insectivore.

Indian Cuckoo

Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; broad dark subterminal tail band. Migratory; widespread from India through Southeast Asia and China to Korea and Japan. Brood parasite targeting drongos and other medium passerines. Insectivore. Famous four-note 'one more bottle' call.

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