# Plaintive Cuckoo

*Cacomantis merulinus*

This species is a brood parasite, meaning it never builds its own nest but instead tricks other birds into raising its young.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Cuculiformes › Cuculidae › Cacomantis
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Open woodlands, scrubland, secondary forests, mangroves, and urban gardens.
- **Diet:** Mainly insects, specializing in hairy caterpillars; occasionally consumes small fruits.
- **Range:** South Asia, Southeast Asia, Southern China
- **Size:** 21-24 cm long; weight approximately 20-30 grams.
- **Lifespan:** 4-6 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat fragmentation and the use of broad-spectrum pesticides which reduce its primary food source of insects.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless to humans. This bird is shy and more often heard than seen. Maintain a respectful distance to avoid interrupting its foraging or calls. If you find a fallen chick, do not intervene unless it is in immediate danger from pets, as foster parents are likely nearby.

## About

The plaintive cuckoo ( Cacomantis merulinus ) is a species of bird belonging to the genus Cacomantis in the cuckoo family Cuculidae. It is native to Asia, from India and China to Indonesia.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/8b851779-42d4-4aa9-a416-1916feb49811
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1856
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacomantis merulinus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/28078/medium.jpg (Charles Lam, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.