Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx varius
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Cuculiformes · Cuculidae
About
The common hawk-cuckoo, popularly known as the brainfever bird, is a medium-sized cuckoo resident in the Indian subcontinent. It bears a close resemblance to the shikra, even in its style of flying and landing on a perch. The resemblance to hawks gives this group the generic name of hawk-cuckoo; like many other cuckoos, these are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of babblers. During their breeding season in summer males produce loud, repetitive three-note calls that are well-rendered as brain-fever, the second note being longer and higher pitched. These notes rise to a crescendo before ending abruptly and repeat after a few minutes; the calling may go on through the day, well after dusk and before dawn.
Fun Fact
Frank Finn noted that [H]is note, however, fully entitles him to his ordinary designation, whether from its "damnable iteration" or from its remarkable resemblance to the word "brain-fever" repeated in a piercing voice running up the scale.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Habitat includes garden land, groves of tree, deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.
Diet
Feed mainly on insects and are specialised feeders that can handle hairy caterpillars.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance