Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Coccyzus pluvialis compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus pluvialis | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 35.5 cm (14.0 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 159.5 g (5.63 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo
Soft, descending whistled phrase; pure notes dropping gently in musical sequence from dense forest cover.
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
Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Chestnut-bellied 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
Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo
Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo (Coccyzus pluvialis) — 45–50 cm. Large island cuckoo; brown above; rich chestnut-orange belly; long broad tail. Endemic to Jamaica in forest and woodland. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; eats large insects, lizards, and berries. The largest cuckoo in the Caribbean.
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.