Common Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx varius

普通鹰鹃

IUCN: Least Concern Found in China

Introduction

A medium-sized cuckoo resident in the Indian subcontinent, placed in the genus Hierococcyx (sometimes included in Cuculus). Two subspecies exist: the nominate from India and ciceliae from Sri Lanka's hill regions. The species is a brood parasite, primarily targeting babblers in the genus Turdoides. It is notable for its visual mimicry of the shikra, a small hawk, extending to flight style and perching behavior. Males produce loud, repetitive three-note calls during the summer breeding season. Arboreal and found in gardens, tree groves, and deciduous to semi-evergreen forests, mostly below 1000m elevation.

Description

A medium- to large-sized cuckoo, approximately 34 cm (pigeon-sized). Plumage is ashy grey above and whitish below, cross-barred with brown. The tail is broadly barred. A distinctive yellow eye ring is present. Sexes are alike, though males tend to be larger. Subadults have streaked breasts similar to immature shikras, with large brown chevron marks on the belly. The overall appearance closely mimics the shikra, a small sparrowhawk.

Identification

Can be mistaken for a hawk at first glance. Uses a flap-and-glide flight style resembling sparrowhawks, especially the shikra. When landing on a perch, shakes tail from side to side. Small birds and squirrels often raise alarm calls in its presence. Distinguished from the large hawk-cuckoo by lacking dark streaks on the throat and breast. Young birds have a pale chin, whereas young large hawk-cuckoos have a black chin. Males detected by loud three-note calls during summer but can be difficult to spot visually.

Distribution & Habitat

Occurs throughout most of the Indian subcontinent, from Pakistan westward, across the Himalayan foothills, east to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and North East India, and south into Sri Lanka. Some Indian birds winter in Sri Lanka, while the subspecies ciceliae is resident in Sri Lanka's central hills. Generally resident but locally migratory at high altitudes and in arid areas. Found mostly below 1000m in the Himalayas; at higher elevations, the large hawk-cuckoo is more common. Habitat includes garden land, tree groves, and deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.

Behavior & Ecology

Feeds mainly on insects, specializing in hairy caterpillars. Removes caterpillar guts by pressing and rubbing them on branches before swallowing; hairs are regurgitated as pellets. A brood parasite, primarily targeting babblers (Turdoides species), with breeding season from March to June. Lays a single blue egg matching host eggs. The hatchling usually evicts host eggs and is reared by foster parents for nearly a month. Chicks make grating "kee-kee" calls to beg for food. Males produce loud, repetitive three-note calls rising to a crescendo, heard throughout the day and during moonlit nights. Females produce a series of grating notes.

Culture

The call is popularly transcribed as "brain-fever" in English, giving rise to the name "brainfever bird." In Hindi, it is interpreted as "piyaan kahan" ("where's my love"); in Bengali as "chokh gelo" ("my eyes are gone"); in Marathi as "paos ala" ("the rains are coming"); and in Bodo as "haab fisha houwa" ("dear son, where are you"). The call may be heard before dawn and through moonlit nights. Indian author Allan Sealy titled a novel after this bird.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0