Greater Ani vs Indian Cuckoo
Crotophaga major compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Greater Ani | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crotophaga major | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.7 cm (15.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 184.625 g (6.51 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | Insectivore of tropical South American marshes; eats hairy caterpillars, large beetles, and small lizards. Also … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Greater Ani
Soft, wheezy call with plaintive quality; delicate notes given quietly from dense grassland cover at dawn.
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Greater Ani
Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Resident in lowland wetland habitats.
Indian Cuckoo
Conservation Status
Greater Ani
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Greater Ani
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
Greater Ani
A large, all-black cuckoo (46-48 cm) with a keeled bill and long tail. Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Gregarious, often in groups of 8-20. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Communal nester, with several females sharing nests.
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.