Macropygia unchall
The Barred Cuckoo-Dove (*Macropygia unchall*) is an elegant, medium-sized dove, typically measuring 37-40 cm in length, distinguished by its strikingly long, graduated tail. Its plumage features rich rufous or chestnut underparts that contrast beautifully with a barred appearance on the nape, hindneck, and upper breast, giving it its common name. Males exhibit iridescent green or purplish-pink patches on the hindneck and nape, which are less prominent or absent in females, marking a subtle se...
This species primarily inhabits montane and submontane broadleaf evergreen forests, thriving at elevations typically ranging from 600 to 3000 meters.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of fruits, berries, and seeds, which they forage for by gleaning directly from trees and shrubs.
Barred Cuckoo-Doves are diurnal and largely arboreal, spending most of their time foraging and roosting within the forest canopy. They employ a specialized foraging strategy, deftly gleaning ripe fruits, berries, and seeds directly from branches and vines. While often encountered solitarily or in...
The Barred Cuckoo-Dove boasts a wide distribution across the Indomalayan realm, spanning from the Himalayan foothills eastward through Southeast Asia and into parts of Indonesia and the Philippines. Its breeding range includes mountainous regions of Nepal, Bhutan, northeastern India, Bangladesh, ...
Least Concern
- The Barred Cuckoo-Dove's exceptionally long, graduated tail makes it one of the longest-tailed doves in its extensive Asian range. - Its distinctive call, often described as a rising 'coo-coo-coo' or 'hoo-WHOOP', is a primary way birders locate this often-shy forest inhabitant. - Despite its na...