Plaintive Cuckoo

1. Nombre del ave
The bird in focus is the Plaintive Cuckoo, scientifically known as the Cacomantis merulinus.

2. Aspecto
The Plaintive Cuckoo has a distinctive slimmer profile than many of its avian counterparts, immediately distinguishing it from other birds at first glance. Its sleek, long-tail, more akin to a songbird, is another identifiable feature. This bird is largely grey-brown with varying shades throughout its body. Its breast and abdomen have a more softly barred appearance in white and brown, while its tail sports a well-demarcated series of white tips.

The sexes are similar but possess some distinguishable differences. Males, while typically possessing a darker back than females, have a solid slate-grey underside. Most females, in contrast, flaunt yellow to yellowish-brown underparts with slender grey-brown bars.

3. Tamaño
The average length of the Plaintive Cuckoo is 28 cm or roughly 11 inches. In terms of weight, these birds tend to hover between the range of 30 and 50 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
This bird is mainly found throughout key parts of Southeast Asia, which include Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Occasionally, it’s native to the Indian subcontinent, and its inhabitants extend to southwest China. They also appear frequently in grasslands and forests, specifically forests near bodies of water or with heavy undergrowth.

5. Datos de interés
Plaintive Cuckoos are named due to their mournful call, which they execute in regular intervals, often during dawn or dusk. Interestingly, they are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species and leave them to raise their young. These cuckoos also exhibit migratory behavior, with birds in northern climates moving south during winter.

6. Dieta
Their diet mainly consists of insects, particularly caterpillars. They also feed on other small invertebrates and, when available, small fruits and berries.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
The Plaintive Cuckoo has a distinctive plaintive call, usually a series of notes descending in scale. As brood parasites, these birds display unique nesting behaviors. They trick host birds into raising their chicks by laying eggs that mimic those of the host species.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the Plaintive Cuckoo is currently categorized as “Least Concern,” as populations appear stable and widespread.

9. Vida útil
Plaintive Cuckoos usually live up to 6 to 8 years in the wild. Further research is needed to determine their lifespan in captivity.

10. Notas adicionales
Often referred to as the “Cucú Plañidero” in Spanish and “Coucou plaintif” in French, the Plaintive Cuckoo’s behavior paints an image of crafty intelligence. Its role in the ecosystem includes acting as a form of pest control by feeding on insects, particularly caterpillars, contributing to the balance of our natural ecosystems.