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The vocalisation of the Indian Cuckoo

on 8th April 2010

Birdwatchers mostly go into the field with a pair of binoculars to spot birds. The few who can afford it lug a spotting scope. But if you think you can depend on your eyes, you need not depend on any optics at all. But how about using your ears? Familiar with bird calls and songs is an advantage as you can then locate birds hidden among vegetation or are far away.

“I was in one corner of an area when I heard this growling and than barking,” recounts KC Tsang. “Now if I were not to know that this could be an owl, I would have given it a miss. So following the call, I eventually found my quarry.” Continues KC, “So in order to be a good birdwatcher, one should also get to know the different calls of the various birds.”

Take the example of the song of the Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus). It has been documented in different ways by different authors of guide books. Robson (2008), the most used guide for the region, describes it thus: “Male territorial call a loud whi-whi-whi-wu or wa-wa-wa-wa, either with a lower last note or alternating high and low (may omit last note). Also a loud hurried bubbling (probably female only).” Strange (2000) has this to say: “A diagnostic, penetrating, 4-note whistle with the 4th note lower.” On the other hand, Lekagul & Round (1991) gives: “4-note whistle, ko-ko-to-ko (sometimes rendered as one more bot-tle) the third note highest.”

Baptista et al. (1997), which is an authoritative publication on the species, records: “Loud, flute-like, hollow 4-note whistle, final note lower pitch, “orange-pekoe” or “crossword puzzle”.”

All the above authors agree that the song is loud and consists of a 4-note whistle, the last note lower. However, the rendering of the songs vary in the different publications, puzzling the not too experienced birdwatchers, if not even the experienced. And Robson (2008) hints that the female also sings.

Now listen to the recorded songs of the Indian Cuckoo as given in this link. The different songs from the different countries all show clear, distinct, 4-note songs, each a little different from the next. A sonogram of each allows one to differentiate the various songs. Obviously there are different dialects. Compare the recordings with the descriptions and you will appreciate the need to standardise the transcription of songs in guides. And obviously there is a need for more localised research on the songs and calls of the Indian Cuckoo, as with almost all other species of birds of this region.

Image by KC Tsang.

References:
1.
Baptista, L. F., P. W. Trail & H. M. Horblit, 1997. Family Columbidae (pigeons and doves). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 60-245
2. Lekagul, B. & Round, P.D. (1991). A guide to the Birds of Thailand. Thailand: Saha Karn Bhaet Co. Ltd.
3. Robson, C., 2008. A field guide to the birds of South-east Asia. New Holland, London. 544 pp.
4. Strange, M. (2000). A photographic guide to the birds of Malaysia and Singapore. Periplus Editions, Hongkong. 398 pp.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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