Plaintive Cuckoo
NamePlaintive Cuckoo
Common NamePlaintive Cuckoo
Scientific NameCacomantis merulinus
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)30
Length (cm)20.5
Weight (g)29
Plumage DetailsAdult males have a grey head, throat, and upper breast, with a brownish-grey back and wings. The lower breast, belly, and vent are a contrasting rufous-orange. Females and immatures can be more rufous overall with barring, especially on the underparts. All have a prominent reddish eye.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, plaintive, ascending whistle, often described as 'tee-tee-tee-too-too-too' or 'pi-pi-pi-pe-pe-pe', which can be quite repetitive.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across South and Southeast Asia, ranging from India and Sri Lanka eastward through Southeast Asia to southern China, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Identifying FeaturesGrey head and breast (adult male), Rufous-orange belly, Reddish eye, Long, graduated tail, Slender body shape, Distinctive plaintive call
Description
The Plaintive Cuckoo is a small, slender cuckoo known for its distinctive, melancholic call. It is often found in open woodlands, gardens, and scrub, where it perches conspicuously while foraging for insects. This species is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other small passerine birds.
