Northern Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx hyperythrus
北棕腹鹰鹃
Introduction
A brood-parasitic cuckoo species in the family Cuculidae. Breeds in northeastern India, Myanmar, southern China, and Southeast Asia. Distinguished by its unique chick deception strategy: the nestling displays gape-coloured patches of skin under its wings to simulate additional gapes, convincing foster parents to deliver more food. This adaptation compensates for the chick's eviction of host nestmates, which would otherwise reduce provisioning rates. The species was formerly classified with three other subspecies, all now treated as separate species: Malaysian hawk-cuckoo, Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo, and rufous hawk-cuckoo.
Description
A medium-sized cuckoo with typical hawk-cuckoo plumage. The adult has grey upperparts, rufous breast and underparts, and a distinctive long tail with white tips. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in plumage coloration. Like other hawk-cuckoos, it has a barred tail and quick, hawk-like flight movements.
Identification
Distinguished from other hawk-cuckoos by its geographic range and plumage characteristics. Differs from the common hawk-cuckoo in having more rufous coloration on the underparts and a different tail pattern. The juvenile plumage is less distinctive, but the species' large size and hawk-like silhouette aid identification.
Distribution & Habitat
Resident and partial migrant in northeastern India, Myanmar, southern China (including Yunnan and Guangxi provinces), and throughout mainland Southeast Asia. Occurs in forested habitats from lowland to hill areas. Some populations may make seasonal movements within their range.
Behavior & Ecology
Obligate brood parasite that parasitizes the nests of various songbird species. The newly hatched chick systematically evicts all eggs and nestmates, ensuring exclusive access to foster parents. The unique skin patch adaptation under the wings mimics additional gapes, stimulating increased feeding behavior. Hosts occasionally attempt to feed items directly into these patches. The adult is secretive and more often heard than seen, giving a distinctive whistling call.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern globally due to its relatively large range and presumed stable population. However, localized threats include habitat loss from deforestation throughout its Southeast Asian range. Population trends are not well-quantified but are not currently considered to approach threatened thresholds.
Culture
The common name commemorates Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801-1894), a British naturalist and ethnologist who conducted extensive research on the fauna of Nepal and India during the 19th century. No other significant cultural or folklore associations are documented.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Hierococcyx
- eBird Code
- nohcuc1
Distribution
breeds southeastern Siberia, northeastern China, Korean Peninsula, and Japan; winters to southeastern Asia, northern Borneo, and northern Sulawesi
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 中文名由北鹰鹃改为北棕腹鹰鹃
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.