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

Shared Habitats

Grey-capped Cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Grey-capped Cuckoo

Song

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

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

Grey-capped Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Grey-capped 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

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.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family