Pearly-breasted Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Pearly-breasted Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus euleri Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 26.3 cm (10.4 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 52.46666666666667 g (1.85 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, melodic call with clear quality; rich resonant notes carrying far through 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

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Pearly-breasted 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

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus euleri) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; white below with a faint pearly sheen; yellow lower mandible; tail with white spots. Inhabits forest and forest edge in northern and central South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore. Partially migratory; less studied than its North American relatives.

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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