The Oriental cuckoo or Horsfields cuckoo is a bird belonging to the genus Cuculus in the cuckoo family Cuculidae. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Himalayan cuckoo, with the name 'Oriental cuckoo' used for the combined species. Differences in voice and size suggest that it should be treated as a separate species. The binomial name Cuculus horsfieldi has often been used instead of Cuculus optatus, but is now usually considered to be a junior synonym.
Region
Northern and Eastern Asia to Australasia
Typical Environment
Breeds across the taiga and temperate forests of Siberia, northern Mongolia, northeastern China, Korea, and parts of Japan. During migration and winter it occurs widely in Southeast Asia, Wallacea, the Philippines, New Guinea, and northern Australia. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests with clearings, riverine woodlands, and forest edges in the breeding season. In winter it uses lowland forests, secondary growth, plantations, and wooded parks. Often keeps to the canopy or mid-story, where it forages quietly.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as Horsfield’s cuckoo, this species was split from the Himalayan cuckoo based largely on differences in voice and size. It is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of small passerines, especially leaf-warblers. Its long-distance migrations take it from northern Asian breeding grounds to Southeast Asia and Australasia for the non-breeding season.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, purposeful flight and brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of brief courtship. Does not build a nest; females lay single eggs in the nests of small host species, notably Phylloscopus warblers, often removing a host egg. Eggs and chick behavior are adapted to the brood-parasitic lifestyle, with chicks ejecting host young soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The male gives a series of deep, hollow hoots, often rendered as repeated ‘hoo’ notes in steady tempo. Calls carry far through forests and are key for identification, differing in tone and cadence from related cuckoos.
Plumage
Slate-grey upperparts with finely barred white underparts and a long, graduated tail; underwings show strong dark barring. A rufous morph with reddish-brown tones and heavy barring occurs but is less common.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects, especially hairy caterpillars that many birds avoid, along with moths, beetles, and other arthropods. Also takes larvae from leaves and twigs and occasionally small berries when insect prey is scarce. Forages by gleaning from foliage and making short sallies to seize prey.
Preferred Environment
Usually forages in the canopy and mid-story of coniferous and mixed forests, as well as forest edges and riparian corridors. In winter it frequents lowland woodland, secondary growth, plantations, and wooded gardens.
