Skip to main content

Brain fever bird (Common Hawk-Cuckoo)

Hierococcyx varius

Photo by sunnyjosef
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

9.94526, 76.2512

Field Notes

Description:

The Brain-fever Bird can be found throughout India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They eat insects and are especially well adapted to taking those caterpillars that are so hairy they hurt your hand. They are called Hawk Cuckoo because they are excellent mimics of Shikra, a sparrow hawk species. They even mimic their flight and the way the raptor lands on a perch. It's all so convincing that many birds and squirrels raise the 'bird of prey alarm' when a harmless Common Hawk-cuckoo comes into view. They are Brood parasites.

Habitat:

Shrubs and trees.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment
Photographed
PublishedJune 6, 2013

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon