Levaillant's Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Clamator levaillantii compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Levaillant's Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Clamator levaillantii Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 34.9 cm (13.7 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 121.8 g (4.30 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Levaillant's Cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Levaillant's Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call with musical quality; clear notes carrying through tropical forest.

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

Levaillant's Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Levaillant's 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

Levaillant's Cuckoo

Levaillant's Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii) — 38–42 cm. Prominent black crest; dark above; white below with heavy black streaking on throat and breast; long tail. Found in woodland, savanna, and scrub across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting babblers (Turdoides). Insectivore. Nomadic, following rains.

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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