Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Cercococcyx mechowi compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cercococcyx mechowi | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 26.1 cm (10.3 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 57.0 g (2.01 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with hollow resonant quality; distinctive far-carrying notes through dense forest.
Indian Cuckoo
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
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo: dark dusky brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; forest canopy specialist
Indian Cuckoo
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
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi) — 28–32 cm. Dark brown above; pale buff below with fine dark barring; very long graduated tail. Inhabits dense forest understorey across Central Africa. Brood parasite targeting ant-thrushes and other forest passerines. Insectivore. Secretive; more often heard than seen.
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.