Violet Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Violet Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 20.1 cm (7.9 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 22.2 g (0.78 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Violet Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh nasal quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense tropical 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
Violet Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Violet Cuckoo
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
Violet Cuckoo
Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) — 17 cm. Male: entire upperparts rich violet-purple with green gloss; barred white below; yellow-orange bill. Female: bronze-green above. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest from Myanmar through Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines. Brood parasite targeting sunbirds and flowerpeckers. 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.