Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Coccyzus longirostris compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus longirostris Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.2 cm (10.7 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 101.93333333333332 g (3.60 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo only

None

Indian Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes given repeatedly from dense forest in Southeast Asia.

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

Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Hispaniolan Lizard-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

Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo

Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo (Coccyzus longirostris) — 38–43 cm. Brown above; pale buff below; decurved bill; bare red orbital skin; long white-spotted tail. Endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic; specialised lizard predator. Also takes insects and small vertebrates.

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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