Indian Cuckoo vs Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Cuculus micropterus compared with Neomorphus rufipennis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Indian Cuckoo Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo
Scientific Name Cuculus micropterus Neomorphus rufipennis
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 39.3 cm (15.5 in) 34.1 cm (13.4 in)
Weight 120.5 g (4.25 oz) 381.25 g (13.45 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Indian Cuckoo only

None

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Indian Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall dense forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant call; powerful low-frequency sound carrying across dense lowland tropical forest floor.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Indian Cuckoo

Least Concern

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Indian Cuckoo

Plumage

Indian Cuckoo: gray above; white below with bold dark barring; four-note call; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; common Asian species

Rufous-winged Ground-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.

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo

Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus rufipennis) — 46–50 cm. Bronze-green above; rufous wing panels; pale buff below. Found in humid forest of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Non-parasitic; follows army ants. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Rarely encountered; Near Threatened.

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