Yellow-throated Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx flavigularis compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Yellow-throated Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx flavigularis Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 18.3 cm (7.2 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 29.25 g (1.03 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Yellow-throated Cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Yellow-throated Cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency notes carrying through dense tropical 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

Yellow-throated Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Yellow-throated Cuckoo

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

Yellow-throated Cuckoo

Yellow-throated Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx flavigularis) — 17–18 cm. Bronze-green above; yellow throat; white underparts with bold green barring. Found in rainforest interior of West and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. A forest specialist; less commonly encountered than related African Emerald Cuckoo.

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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