Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Cacomantis passerinus
Rather small cuckoo of open forests and forest edge. Typical adult is gray all over. Some females are “hepatic” and are ginger-orangish with black barring on the back and on the undersides. Song is a high, fading “ki-keeeer...” often given either very early or very late in the day. Breeds in foothill and montane forests, but migratory individuals typically winter in lowlands.
Identification
The grey-bellied cuckoo is one of the smaller cuckoos, at a total length of about 23 cm. Adults are mainly grey with a white lower belly and undertail. There is a white patch on the wings. Some females are dark-barred reddish brown above with an unbarred tail and have strongly dark-barred whitish underparts. The juvenile resembles the female but is of a duller grey.
Taxonomy
Genus: Cacomantis; Family: Cuculidae; Order: Cuculiformes.
- Scientific name
- Cacomantis passerinus
- Authority
- (Vahl, 1797)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Cacomantis
Range and habitat
The grey-bellied cuckoo breeds in tropical southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka to south China and Indonesia. It has been reported from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is a short-distance migrant, since birds at more northerly latitudes and on higher ground are summer visitors, leaving for warmer areas in winter. The species prefers light woodland and cultivated areas.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blackcap Babbler
Turdoides reinwardtii
A mostly brownish babbler with a black head and a white eye. The underparts are pale in the west and become increasingly darker in the eastern part of the range. Found in moist woodland, dense savanna, scrub, gallery forest, forest edge, cultivated areas, and gardens. Almost always in groups, which feed by hopping across the ground. Similar in behavior, shape, size, and overall brown coloration to Brown Babbler, but easily separated by the black head and the lack of a contrastingly paler rump. Calls include a raspy babbling, nasal calls, and a dry clucking, all usually given by a whole group in chorus.
Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix nigriceps
Small, finchlike lark of arid zones with strong sexual dimorphism. Male is striking with black underparts, whitish cheeks, and black crown. Female is overall gray-brown overall and lightly-streaked; best identified by short, heavy bill. In flight shows dark underwing coverts and black tail (from above black tail sides). Breeds on desert plains with scattered bushes. Song is a repetitive short phrase of clear, high-pitched whistles. Call is a short, buzzing "Zzz" or "Zik, zik…"
Himalayan Owl
Strix nivicolum
A medium-sized brownish owl of montane forests, generally uncommon. Brownish overall with finely patterned underparts. Deep black eyes bracketed by bright white arcs impart a learned, severe expression. Asian counterpart to Europe's Tawny Owl. Calls loudly and slowly, a repeated pair of hoots.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.