Little Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Coccycua minuta compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Little Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccycua minuta Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.2 cm (8.3 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 37.5 g (1.32 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Little Cuckoo only

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Little Cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful notes carrying across dense tropical forest in Southeast Asia. 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

Little Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Little 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

Little Cuckoo

Little Cuckoo (Coccycua minuta) — 22–25 cm. Small; rufous above; pale buff underparts; short tail with white tips; slim body. Inhabits dense vegetation near water, mangroves, and forest edge across northern South America from Panama to Peru and Brazil. Non-parasitic. 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.

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