Cuculiformes / Cuculidae / Surniculus
Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo
Surniculus lugubris · 乌鹃
Introduction
A species of cuckoo found along the Himalayas extending east into Southeast Asia. It resembles a black drongo and is a brood parasite on small babblers.
Description
Distinguished by a downcurved beak, white barred vent and outer undertail, and a tail that is only notched with slightly flared tips. In flight, a white wing-stripe is visible from below.
Distribution & Habitat
Found along the Himalayas extending east into Southeast Asia.
Behavior & Ecology
Brood parasite on small babblers. Calls consist of a series of piercing sharp whistles rising in pitch, delivered in a shrill and choppy manner.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Surniculus
Vocalizations
Subspecies (3)
-
Surniculus lugubris barussarum
breeds northeastern India through northern southeastern Asia and southeastern China, including Hainan; winters southward to Sumatra
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
