Cuban Lizard-cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Coccyzus merlini compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cuban Lizard-cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus merlini | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 172.16666666666666 g (6.07 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Cuban Lizard-cuckoo
Deep, resonant call with hollow quality; powerful low-frequency notes carrying across humid tropical forest.
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
Cuban Lizard-cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Cuban Lizard-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
Cuban Lizard-cuckoo
Cuban Lizard-cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini) — 38–44 cm. Brown above; pale buff below; bare red orbital skin; long graduated tail with white tips. Endemic to Cuba and nearby islands. Non-parasitic; a specialist predator of lizards (Anolis and others). Also takes large insects.
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.