Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx sparverioides
- Family
- Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
Overview
The large hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It has a wide breeding distribution from temperate Asia along the Himalayas extending to East Asia. Many populations winter further south. They are known for their loud and repetitive calls which are similar to that of the common hawk-cuckoo but do not rise in crescendo.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds from Himalayas of northeastern Pakistan eastward to southern China, and southwards to hills south of the Brahmaputra River to Taiwan; winters from southern India (Eastern and Western Ghats) eastwards to lowlands of the Thai-Malay Peninsula.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Large hawk-cuckoo
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
