Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx sparverioides
Large Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) — Cuckoos & Turacos of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 151 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Hierococcyx
- Species sparverioides
Where it lives
Widespread western Himalayas through eastern China and southeastern Asia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 151 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) is a species of bird in the Cuculidae family, part of the order Cuculiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR widespread w Himalayas through e China and se Asia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 151 g, with a wing length of about 23.5 cm and a tail of around 20.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Large Hawk-Cuckoo?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 151 g.
Where does the Large Hawk-Cuckoo live?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR widespread w Himalayas through e China and se Asia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Large Hawk-Cuckoo belong to?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Large Hawk-Cuckoo eat?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Large Hawk-Cuckoo migrate?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Large Hawk-Cuckoo endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Large Hawk-Cuckoo make?
1 real field recording of the Large Hawk-Cuckoo — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Large Hawk-Cuckoo's range?
The Large Hawk-Cuckoo has a mapped global range of about 4.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Cuculidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Cuckoos & Turacos
Least Concern
Least Concern