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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