Common Cuckoo vs Indian Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus compared with Cuculus micropterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Cuckoo | Indian Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus canorus | Cuculus micropterus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.4 cm (15.1 in) | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) |
| Weight | 116.25 g (4.10 oz) | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-18 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Common Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying iconic call; descending cuckoo notes audible at great distance across European landscape.
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
Common Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark graduated tail; yellow eye-ring; brood parasite; widespread
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
Common Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) — 32–34 cm. Grey above; white below with black barring; pointed wings; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Palearctic breeder from Britain to Japan; winters in sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting 100+ host species. Insectivore specialising in hairy caterpillars. The quintessential herald of European spring.
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.