Least Concern

34–38 cm – a medium-large cuckoo with a long tail and strong hawk-like posture.

Mostly resident across central, eastern, and southern India; northern populations move south in winter.

Moves to peninsular India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia during non-breeding months.

March to July – peaks during late summer when host species are most active.

Prefers forest edges, hilly woodlands, and plantations; usually parasitizes babblers (lays eggs in host nests).

Found in moist and dry forests, scrubby hills, secondary growth, wooded villages, and tall-canopy areas.

Mainly large caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and occasionally small lizards and berries.