Indian Cuckoo vs Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus compared with Surniculus musschenbroeki
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Cuckoo | Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus micropterus | Surniculus musschenbroeki |
| 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) | 29.7 g (1.05 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.
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes carrying through dense humid forest in Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Indian Cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-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
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black overall; drongo-like forked tail; pale tail tips; red eye; Moluccas island endemic drongo-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.
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus musschenbroeki) — 24–27 cm. Glossy black; deeply forked tail; white vent barring. Endemic to the Moluccas and Sulawesi, Indonesia. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly studied.