Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)

Other Names (World)
Lesser Cuckoo, Asian Lesser Cuckoo, Small Cuckoo, Little Cuckoo

Family
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

Size
22 - 27 cm

First Described (Guide)
Latham, 1790

Habitat
Deciduous and evergreen broadleaf forest in lowlands and hills.

Range (Guide)

Bhutan (B), China (mainland), Congo [The Democratic Republic of the], India, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea (B), Pakistan, Russia (Asian), South Korea (B), Sri Lanka, Tanzania [United Republic of], Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Vagrant to Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), Laos, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Thailand.

Unknown to Afghanistan.

Himalyas to Korea, Japan. Winters mainly in South Africa, East Africa, some of South East Asia.

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
Elusive.

Voice
Highly vocal, particularly early morning and late afternoon, but also at night, in flight over canopy. A six-note whistle 'tep-pen-kaketaka' or 'that's your cho-ky pepper' rising over the first four syllables, with emphasis on 'choky' and falling on the final slurred double syllable.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (84)...)

Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) [XC584081]
by Ray Tsu \u8bf8\u4ec1 from Wangdinong camp, north of Zhemgang, Trongsa, Bhutan (song)

Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) [XC822356]
by Geoff Carey from Baihualing, Gaoligong Shan, Yunnan, China (song)

Nest
None. Egg(s) laid in that of the foster parents. The most common species are Cettia warblers.

Subspecies
No subspecies.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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