Cuculus micropterus
The Indian Cuckoo, *Cuculus micropterus*, is a medium-sized cuckoo of the family Cuculidae, immediately recognizable by its distinctive, far-carrying call that often sounds like a four-note phrase. Measuring approximately 30-36 cm in length with a slender build and a long tail, adults exhibit a striking grey head and upperparts, contrasting with a white belly and broad black barring across the flanks. A defining field mark is the bold black gular stripe on its throat, often extending as a bro...
This adaptable cuckoo thrives in a variety of wooded habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, open woodlands, plantations, cultivated areas with scattered trees, and even suburban gardens, from lowlands up to significant elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, the Indian Cuckoo feeds extensively on large insects, particularly hairy caterpillars, which are often avoided by other birds, as well as beetles, grasshoppers, and other invertebrates.
Indian Cuckoos are generally solitary and secretive birds, primarily active during the day, though their distinct calls can often be heard well into twilight or on moonlit nights. They forage by gleaning insects from foliage and branches, often sitting motionless for extended periods before makin...
The Indian Cuckoo boasts a broad distribution across Asia, with a breeding range extending from the Indian subcontinent eastward through Southeast Asia, parts of China, and north into Russia (Amurland) and Japan. In India, it is a widespread summer breeder, arriving with the onset of the monsoon,...
Least Concern
- The Indian Cuckoo is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs exclusively in the nests of other bird species, never raising its own young. - Its distinctive four-note call, often transcribed as 'crossword puzzle' or 'orange pekoe', is one of the most recognizable sounds in its range...