Groove-billed Ani vs Indian Cuckoo
Crotophaga sulcirostris compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Groove-billed Ani | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crotophaga sulcirostris | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 80.3 g (2.83 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | Insectivore of open country; eats grasshoppers, beetles, and hairy caterpillars. Forages near grazing animals that … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Groove-billed Ani
Loud, far-carrying display call; deep hollow notes audible across open European grassland habitat 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
Groove-billed Ani
Found from southern Texas through Central America to South America. Resident in open country and agricultural areas.
Indian Cuckoo
Conservation Status
Groove-billed Ani
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Groove-billed 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
Groove-billed Ani
A medium-sized, all-black cuckoo (30-34 cm) with a grooved bill. Found from southern Texas through Central America to South America. Similar to Smooth-billed Ani but smaller with a smooth-ridged bill. Gregarious; communal nester. Omnivore following livestock for 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.