Mangrove Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo

Coccyzus minor compared with Cuculus micropterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Mangrove Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo
Scientific Name Coccyzus minor Cuculus micropterus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 27.0 cm (10.6 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 66.85000000000001 g (2.36 oz) 120.5 g (4.25 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Mangrove Cuckoo only

Indian Cuckoo only

Song & Call Comparison

Mangrove Cuckoo

Song

Harsh, penetrating call with raucous quality; loud rough notes carrying through dense forest 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

Mangrove Cuckoo

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Mangrove 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

Mangrove Cuckoo

Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) — 28–32 cm. Brown above; buffy-orange wash on breast and belly; yellow lower mandible; long tail with white spots. Inhabits mangroves, tropical hammocks, and scrub from Florida and the Caribbean to northern South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore feeding on caterpillars and invertebrates.

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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