Grey-capped Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Coccyzus lansbergi compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-capped Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus lansbergi | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.0 cm (9.1 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 51.0 g (1.80 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Grey-capped Cuckoo
Loud, harsh call with nasal penetrating quality; rough notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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
Grey-capped Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Grey-capped 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
Grey-capped Cuckoo
Grey-capped Cuckoo (Coccyzus lansbergi) — 25–29 cm. Pale grey cap contrasting with brown back; rufous-buff underparts; yellow-based bill; white tail spots. Inhabits dry scrub and forest edge from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Bolivia. 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.