Alternative names: Lesser Hawk-Cuckoo; Small Hawk-Cuckoo; Dwarf Hawk-Cuckoo
- Hierococcyx vagans
Cuculus vagans
Identification
26cm.
- Dark brown upperparts
- Dark grey crown
- Whitish cheek and throat
- Broad black moustache
- Grey and black barred tail
- Lighter brown barred wings
- Pale patch in wings in flight
- Whitish underparts with dark streaks
Sexes similar. Juveniles have a brown crown.
Distribution
From southern Burma and southern Thailand south through peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra and Borneo. Records from southern Laos, vagrant in Java.
Uncommon in Thailand, rare in Sumatra and Borneo.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Some authorities place this species in genus Cuculus.
Habitat
Moist lowland forests, prefers lower hill slopes and lowlands, bamboo forest and alluvial forest. Up to 900m in Thailand.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects.
Breeding
Juveniles were seen in Malaysia in July. A brood parasitic, host species unknown. No other information about breeding.
Movements
Partially migratory, some populations resident. No precise information.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Moustached_Hawk-Cuckoo
