Indian Cuckoo vs Oriental Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Cuculus optatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Oriental Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Cuculus optatus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | — |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 102.26666666666667 g (3.61 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Oriental Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Oriental Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Indian Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species
Oriental Cuckoo
Oriental Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; broad barring; Asian migrant species
About These Birds
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.
Oriental Cuckoo
Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus optatus) — 30–33 cm. Grey above; barred white underparts; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Widespread breeder across Siberia, Russia, and northeast Asia; winters to Southeast Asia and Australia. Brood parasite targeting warblers and flycatchers. Insectivore. Long-distance migratory cuckoo.