Species · GBIF taxon 7340211
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx variusAlso known as Brainfever Bird, Brain-fever Bird
Common hawk-cuckoos are master mimics, sporting plumage and flight patterns that closely mirror the predatory shikra to scare host birds off their nests. During the hot breeding season, males fill the air with a piercing, three-note call that rises in pitch and intensity, earning them the popular name of brainfever bird. As brood parasites, they slip their eggs into the nests of babblers, leaving the unsuspecting hosts to raise their demanding chicks.
NoisyBrood ParasiteMimic
Licensed referenceJ.M.Garg / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Insects, caterpillars, and occasionally small fruits
- family
- Cuculidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and nest site disturbance
- life Span
- 5 to 8 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Listen for the call: Locate them by tracking their loud, escalating three-note call during summer days and nights.
- Watch the flight: Distinguish them from shikras by looking for a slightly longer tail and a less hooked bill when perched.
- Observe babbler flocks: Scan noisy babbler groups during the breeding season to spot female cuckoos lurking nearby.