The plaintive cuckoo is a species of bird belonging to the genus Cacomantis in the cuckoo family Cuculidae. It is native to Asia, from India, Nepal and China to Indonesia.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Indian subcontinent and southern China through mainland Southeast Asia to the Greater Sundas and parts of the Philippines. It frequents open woodland, scrub, forest edge, secondary growth, mangroves, plantations, parks, and rice paddies. The species tolerates human-modified landscapes and is common in hedgerows and gardens near water. In parts of its northern range some populations move south in the non-breeding season.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A brood parasite, the plaintive cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of small warblers and prinias, leaving the hosts to raise its chicks. It is often detected by its persistent, mournful whistled call rather than by sight, as it keeps to dense cover. Females occur in both a grey morph and a rufous, heavily barred morph, which can look quite different from males.
Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Plaintive cuckoo male in Manglajodi
Plaintive cuckoo Female in Manglajodi
Immature in Rajarhat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, low flights between cover
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of breeding displays. As an obligate brood parasite, it does not build its own nest and targets small passerines such as prinias, tailorbirds, and cisticolas. Males call persistently from exposed perches to advertise territory.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A series of clear, plaintive, whistled notes often rendered as a repeated pee-pee-pee rising slightly in pitch. Calls carry over long distances, especially at dawn and dusk.
