- Cuculus pallidus
Cacomantis pallidus
Identification
28 - 33 cm. Grey plumage, dark wings and back, tail broadly barred black and white. Brown bill, grey-brown legs and feet, yellow eye ring. Juveniles mottled brown and buff above, white spot on nape, streaked grey-rbown and white below.
Call is a loud, ascending whistle too-too-too.., Young Pallid Cuckoos are mottled with brown and buff above, with a white spot on the nape, and are streaked with grey-brown and white below.
Distribution
Australasia and Southeast Asia
Taxonomy
Some authorities place this species in the genus Cacomantis.
Cuculus pallidus has two subspecies:
- C. p. pallidus;
- C. p. occidentalis.
Habitat
Open forests and woodlands, as well as cleared and cultivated open country.
Behaviour
Diet includes hairy caterpillars, other insects and their larvae. Prey is spotted from low perch and is pounced on, usually on the ground. Some insects are taken from foliage.
It uses other birds' nests.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Pallid_cuckoo.mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
Lepage D. 2007. Avibase. Search for "Pallid Cuckoo" downloaded 15 April 2008.


