Cacomantis merulinus
The Plaintive Cuckoo, *Cacomantis merulinus*, is a small to medium-sized cuckoo renowned for its distinctive, melancholic calls echoing across Asian landscapes. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing 23-28 grams, adults exhibit marked sexual dimorphism and age-related plumage variations. Males are predominantly slate-grey on the head, back, and upper breast, transitioning to white on the lower belly and undertail coverts, often featuring a subtle yellow orbital r...
This adaptable cuckoo primarily inhabits open woodlands, scrublands, plantations, gardens, and secondary growth forests, from lowlands up to moderate elevations of around 1,500 meters.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of insects, particularly caterpillars, which they glean from foliage or catch in short aerial sallies.
The Plaintive Cuckoo is a largely solitary and diurnal bird, most active during the early morning and late afternoon when it frequently perches conspicuously to deliver its characteristic calls. Males are highly vocal and territorial, using their distinctive songs to advertise presence and attrac...
The Plaintive Cuckoo boasts a wide distribution across tropical and subtropical Asia, encompassing the Indian subcontinent (specifically northeastern India and Bangladesh), Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia. Its range extends eastward from Myanmar, through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, ...
Least Concern
- The 'plaintive' in its name directly refers to its distinctive, sorrowful-sounding calls, which are one of the easiest ways to identify the species. - Unlike most birds, Plaintive Cuckoos are obligate brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, completely ou...