Plaintive Cuckoo

Cacomantis merulinus

Family: Cuckoos · Status: Common resident · Size: 21.5–23.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident from northeastern India to Bangladesh, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Adult resembles Rusty-breasted Cuckoo but has greyish eyering, head, throat, and upper breast, with remaining underparts peachy-rufous. Female can also occur in a hepatic form resembling juvenile. Juvenile resembles Rusty-breasted Cuckoo but has greyish eyering, paler rufous to more whitish underparts with finer blackish barrings.

Habitat

Forest, forest edge, mangroves, parks and gardens.

Behaviour

Known brood parasite of Ashy Tailorbirds in Singapore.