Indian Cuckoo vs Lesser Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Cuculus poliocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Lesser Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Cuculus poliocephalus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 30.8 cm (12.1 in) |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 51.5 g (1.82 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| 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.
Lesser Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call; penetrating resonant notes given repeatedly from dense African forest canopy.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Lesser 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
Lesser Cuckoo
Lesser Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; slender; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; smaller than Common Cuckoo
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.
Lesser Cuckoo
Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) — 25–28 cm. Grey above; whitish below with black barring; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Migratory; breeds across South and East Asia from Afghanistan to Japan; winters to East Africa and South Asia. Brood parasite targeting warblers. Insectivore.