Bird
Lesser Cuckoo
Cuculus poliocephalusThe Lesser Cuckoo is a slim gray cuckoo with barred underparts, pointed wings, and a long tail. It stays concealed in woodland and is more often detected by its persistent repeated call.
Brood ParasiteWoodland BirdPersistent Call
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCaterpillars, Beetles, Grasshoppers
Predators
- Hawks
- Owls
- Snakes
ThreatsForest loss, pesticide use, collisions, and declines in host birds
HabitatsOpen forest, woodland edges, scrub, plantations, and wooded hills
Life spanLikely several years; precise wild longevity is poorly documented
Classification
- FamilyCuculidae
- SpeciesCuculus poliocephalus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Avoid playback and never approach host nests to search for eggs.
Responsible observation
- Listen: Locate the repeated phrase before scanning the canopy.
- Shape: Note pointed wings and a long tail during swift flight.
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