Bay-breasted Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Coccyzus rufigularis compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bay-breasted Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccyzus rufigularis | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.2 cm (14.3 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 128.0 g (4.52 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep melodic notes audible across dense tropical forest in Africa.
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
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Bay-breasted 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
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) — 44–48 cm. Large; brown above; deep rufous-chestnut breast; white belly; long tail with white spots. Endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects. Endangered due to severe deforestation.
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.