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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