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Hierococcyx
''Hierococcyx'' or hawk-cuckoos is a genus of birds in the family Cuculidae. They are distributed in South, Southeast, and East Asia. The resemblance to hawks gives this group the generic name of hawk-cuckoos. They are known to vocalize at their breeding grounds, making identification based on calls easy. It is sometimes included in the genus ''Cuculus''. It's similarity to hawks gave rise to an ancient belief that cuckoos transformed themself into hawks during the winter months, when cuckoos disappeared from Europe. Mimicry Hawk-cuckoos closely resemble accipiters in terms of appearance, an elongated body with long wings and tail, greyish or brownish upperparts with paler barred upperparts, as well as their swift direct flight. Apart from shape and colour, underpart barring tend to increase alarm in small parts. This form of batesian mimicry makes the cuckoo look dangerous to the host, reducing host agression or Mobbing (animal behavior), resulting in more opportunities fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hierococcyx Varius
The common hawk-cuckoo (''Hierococcyx varius''), 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 Old World babbler, 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. Description The common hawk-cuckoo is a medium- to large-sized cuckoo, about the size of a pigeon (ca. 34 cm). The plumage is ashy grey above; whitish below, cross-barred with brown. The tail is broadly barred. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
