Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo, also known as the whistling hawk-cuckoo is a species of cuckoo found in north-eastern India, Myanmar, southern China and southeast Asia.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern India and Bhutan through Myanmar and the Thai–Indochinese region to southern China and northern Peninsular Malaysia. It frequents forest edges, secondary growth, bamboo, and lightly wooded countryside, as well as plantations and well-wooded gardens. The species typically keeps to the mid-story and canopy but will descend to lower levels along edges and streams. It is more often detected by voice than seen, remaining fairly unobtrusive in foliage.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of smaller passerines, leaving them to raise the chick. Its hawk-like barring and long, banded tail may deter host birds by mimicking small Accipiter hawks. The species is well known for its clear, whistled calls that carry far through forest edges during the breeding season.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct dashes between perches
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it is usually solitary, perching quietly within foliage. It does not build its own nest; females lay eggs in the nests of small birds such as babblers and warblers. The chick often monopolizes feeding by the foster parents and fledges after a relatively short nestling period.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A clear, far-carrying series of whistled notes, often rendered as a repeated pee-pee-pew or ascending piping. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk during the breeding season and can be heard over long distances.
Plumage
Upperparts grey-brown with a contrastingly barred tail; underparts whitish with rufous wash on the breast and fine dark barring across the belly and flanks. The throat is pale with subtle streaking and the tail shows a bold subterminal dark band with white tips. Overall pattern gives a hawk-like impression.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects, especially caterpillars (including hairy species), beetles, and orthopterans. Occasionally takes other arthropods and small invertebrates. Prey is gleaned from foliage or snapped up during short sallies from a perch.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in forest mid-story and canopy, along edges, clearings, and in secondary growth. Also forages in wooded plantations and gardens where tree cover is sufficient.
