Rusty-breasted Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Cacomantis sepulcralis compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis sepulcralis Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Not Evaluated Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 31.95 g (1.13 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo only

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh penetrating quality; rough notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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

Not Evaluated

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Plumage

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo: rusty-rufous breast; gray-brown above; pale belly; long dark tail; red eye-ring; bold rusty breast color

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

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis sepulcralis) — 22–25 cm. Grey above; rich rusty-buff underparts; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits forest, forest edge, and plantations from the Malay Peninsula and Greater Sundas to the Philippines and Sulawesi. Brood parasite. 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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