Common Hawk Cuckoo
Cuculus varius
About This Species
This South Asian cuckoo is heard far more often than seen, its persistent rising four-note call ringing out from wooded gardens, deciduous forest and scrub across the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the hot pre-monsoon months. It sits still for long periods in dense foliage, making patient scanning of leafy branches the best way to spot it once its calling has given away a general location. Early morning and the build-up to the monsoon are the most vocal, and therefore most findable, periods.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because the bird is usually well hidden, viewing from 10 metres or more with binoculars while it calls is both practical and non-intrusive.
- Wildlife protection legislation varies across the countries of the Indian subcontinent, so check national rules rather than assuming one law applies throughout its range.
- Avoid playback of its call to draw it into view, as this species is a brood parasite and excessive disturbance near host nests can affect breeding outcomes for both species involved.
LCAvesCuculiformesCuculidae
Seasonal Activity
240,591 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.