Indian Cuckoo vs Pallid Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Heteroscenes pallidus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Pallid Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Heteroscenes pallidus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 37.2 cm (14.6 in) |
| Weight | 120.5 g (4.25 oz) | 90.5 g (3.19 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.
Pallid Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh nasal quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense wet forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Pallid 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
Pallid Cuckoo
Pallid Cuckoo: pale gray-brown above; white-cream below; long graduated gray-brown tail; yellow eye-ring; no barring; plain 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.
Pallid Cuckoo
Pallid Cuckoo (Heteroscenes pallidus) — 28–33 cm. Pale grey-brown above; whitish below with faint spotting; graduated tail; yellow orbital ring; notched bill. Widespread across Australia in woodland, open scrub, and grassland. Migratory. Brood parasite targeting a wide range of passerine hosts. Insectivore specialising in hairy caterpillars.