Common Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx varius

Order:

Cuculiformes

Family:

Cuculidae

Size:

30 to 35 centimeters (12 to 14 inches)

Weight:

70 to 90 grams (2.5 to 3.2 ounces)

Taxonomy:

Martin Hendriksen Vahl in 1797

Short Description:

The Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius), also known as the Brain-fever Bird, is a medium-sized cuckoo species found in Pakistan. It has a slender body, a long tail, and a relatively short, curved bill. The plumage of adults is predominantly olive-brown on the upperparts with white and black barring, while the underparts are creamy-white with dark streaks. They have a distinct red eye-ring and a prominent black eyestripe.

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 Common Hawk-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.

Common Hawk-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. The name “Brain-fever Bird” comes from their distinctive repetitive call, which sounds like they are saying “brain-fever” or “brain-fever bird”. During the breeding season, males may sing melodious calls to attract mates and establish territories. Like other cuckoo species, Common Hawk-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, Common Hawk-Cuckoos play a role in controlling insect populations and contribute to the biodiversity of Pakistan’s avifauna.

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