Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Cercococcyx montanus compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cercococcyx montanus Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 29.3 cm (11.5 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 58.0 g (2.05 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo only

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense humid 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

Least Concern

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo: brown above; pale below with dark barring; very long graduated dark barred tail; red eye; barred pattern

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

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; whitish below with bold dark barring throughout; long tail. Inhabits montane forest undergrowth in East and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Skulking; identified by its high-pitched whistled song.

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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