Indian Cuckoo vs Pavonine Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Dromococcyx pavoninus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Pavonine Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Dromococcyx pavoninus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 25.6 cm (10.1 in) |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 47.25 g (1.67 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.
Pavonine Cuckoo
Loud, emphatic crowing call with harsh quality; resonant notes carrying well across open tropical forest edge.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Pavonine 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
Pavonine 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.
Pavonine Cuckoo
Pavonine Cuckoo (Dromococcyx pavoninus) — 26–30 cm. Rufous-brown above; barred tail; whitish underparts; bare facial skin. Inhabits humid Amazonian and Atlantic forest understorey from Venezuela south to Argentina. Brood parasite; crepuscular. Insectivore. Resembles Pheasant Cuckoo but smaller with distinctive peacock-eye tail spots when spread.