Tales of Clamator Cuckoos: Independence Day Special

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 02:24:47 +0000

On this Happy Independence Day 🫡, I find myself reflecting an experience on sighting of two cuckoos , Jacobin Cuckoo and Chestnut-winged cuckoo. These cuckoos are member of clamator genus which I find most cool looking cuckoos in the wild, but India has only two of them. Below I put some details about them:

Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) — famous in Indian folklore as the harbinger of the monsoon, this black-and-white beauty carries a touch of drama in its plumage and a deep place in our culture. Early monsoon migrant to out eastern side of India and as well as resident in South India.
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandel) — an equally stunning bird, adorned with rich chestnut wings and a crest that gives it an unmistakable elegance. This bird resident in north of our country and migrates to South India during the monsoon.

What makes this story special for me is not just their beauty — but the fact that I spotted both species right from my own backyard. Watching them up close, listening to their calls, and observing their behavior was nothing short of magical.

The Jacobin Cuckoo – A short note

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0530

The Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus), also known as the Pied Cuckoo, is one of the most fascinating and symbolic birds in Indian culture. Often hailed as the ‘harbinger of monsoon’, its arrival from Africa is timed with the onset of rains in northern India.

This sleek black-and-white bird with a prominent crest and long tail is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of babblers, especially Jungle Babblers. The foster parents unknowingly raise the young cuckoo.

Jacobin Cuckoo on Birding Blog of Debo

Tales of Clamator Cuckoos: Independence Day Special

The Jacobin Cuckoo – A short note