Yellow-billed Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Yellow-billed Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus americanus Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 28.7 cm (11.3 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 56.73333333333333 g (2.00 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-5 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Yellow-billed Cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep musical notes audible impressively through dense 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

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Yellow-billed 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-billed Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) — 27–32 cm. Brown above; white below; yellow lower mandible; rufous wing patches in flight; white-spotted tail. Migratory breeder in North America; winters in South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore specialising in caterpillars and cicadas. Western population listed as Threatened.

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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