Indian Cuckoo vs Himalayan Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Cuculus saturatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Himalayan Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Cuculus saturatus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 94.86666666666667 g (3.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1 |
| 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.
Himalayan Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call; resonant notes given from tall Himalayan forest canopy at dawn. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Himalayan 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
Himalayan Cuckoo
Himalayan Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Himalayan high-altitude 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.
Himalayan Cuckoo
Himalayan Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus) — 31–33 cm. Grey above; warm buff-barred underparts; yellow orbital ring; long tail. Breeds in Himalayan and Chinese mountain forest; winters to Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting bush-warblers. Insectivore.