Indian Cuckoo

Cuculus micropterus

Order:

Cuculiformes

Family:

Cuculidae

Size:

25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches)

Weight:

70 to 90 grams (2.5 to 3.2 ounces)

Taxonomy:

S. Müller, 1845

Short Description:

The Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) is a medium-sized cuckoo species found in Pakistan. It has a sleek body, long tail, and a relatively short, slightly curved bill. The plumage of adults varies, with males typically having a greyish-brown upperparts and females exhibiting a more rufous or reddish-brown coloration. Both genders have a pale belly with faint barring or mottling. They have a distinct red eye-ring, which contrasts with their dark iris.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

In Pakistan, the Indian Cuckoo is found in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, scrublands, and gardens. It is distributed across different regions of the country, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. During the breeding season, they are commonly observed in their breeding grounds across the country.

Indian Cuckoos are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and their larvae. They are often solitary birds and can be quite secretive in their behavior, frequently staying concealed within dense vegetation. During the breeding season, males may sing melodious calls to attract mates and establish territories. Like other cuckoo species, Indian Cuckoos are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly babblers and warblers. They are known to mimic the calls of their host species, further enhancing their ability to deceive them. Overall, Indian Cuckoos play a role in controlling insect populations and contribute to the biodiversity of Pakistan’s avifauna.