The lesser cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and nearby islands. It inhabits primary and secondary evergreen forests, forest edges, and well-wooded plantations. Most encounters are in the mid to upper canopy, where it forages among leaves and branches. It tolerates some disturbance but is most numerous in mature forest. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks along ridges and forest edges.
Altitude Range
0–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The lesser cuckooshrike is a small, unobtrusive forest bird of Southeast Asia that often forages high in the canopy, where it can be easy to overlook. Males are mostly plain slaty-grey, while females show fine barring below, which helps separate them from similar species. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks, gleaning insects from foliage and making short sallies to catch prey. Despite habitat loss in parts of its range, it remains fairly widespread and locally common.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive, often in pairs
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, agile dashes between canopy perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but commonly joins mixed-species flocks moving through the canopy. Nests are small cups placed high in trees; both sexes participate in nest building and care. Territorial displays are subdued, relying more on soft calls and close partner contact.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, thin whistles and sibilant notes, often given from concealed perches. The song is a subdued series of high, slightly descending phrases; calls include sharp ticks and faint trills used to keep contact while foraging.
Plumage
Male mostly plain slaty-grey with slightly darker head and minimal barring; female shows fine dark barring or scalloping on the underparts with greyer upperparts. Both sexes have a neat, compact appearance and smooth, close-lying plumage.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects such as caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and other arthropods, gleaned from foliage and small branches. It occasionally sallies to snatch flying prey and may hover briefly to pick items from leaves. Small fruits are taken opportunistically but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of humid evergreen forest, also at forest edges and in well-wooded gardens or plantations. Often follows mixed flocks along forest strata where prey is disturbed by other species.
