Asian Emerald Cuckoo

 

Asian Emerald Cuckoo

Introduction of Asian Emerald Cuckoo

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo, scientifically known as "Chrysococcyx maculatus", is a beautiful  bird species found across various regions in Asia. This avian beauty is known for its vibrant emerald-green plumage and is a member of the "Cuculidae" family, which also includes other cuckoo species. 

How to identify Asian Emerald Cuckoo

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo  is a relatively small bird. It  measures around 15 to 17 centimeters (about 6 to 6.7 inches) in length from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail. These cuckoos are quite lightweight. and They generally weigh between 17 to 24 grams and  generally weigh between 17 to 24 grams. There can be slight variations in size and weight among individuals and between male and female Asian Emerald Cuckoos. 

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo is aptly named for its shimmering emerald-green plumage. Males and females exhibit slight variations in coloration. While the males are predominantly green with a glossy metallic sheen, females tend to have a more subdued greenish-brown coloration. Both male and female  have a distinctive white patch on their wings and a bright red eye-ring. 

Habits And Habitats

Asian Emerald Cuckoos are primarily arboreal, which means they spend much of their time in the trees and shrubs. They are agile fliers and are often seen darting among the foliage in search of prey.

Asian Emerald Cuckoos are commonly found in wooded and forested habitats. They thrive in tropical rainforests, evergreen forests, and mixed woodlands. They are often encountered in dense vegetation and forest edges.

These cuckoos are adaptable and can also be found in secondary growth forests, regenerating forests, and even gardens and parks, provided there is suitable vegetation and a sufficient supply of insects and food sources.

Their habitat range can vary with altitude. You can find them in lowland forests as well as in higher elevations, including montane forests.

Distribution

They are most commonly found in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and parts of East Asia, with their range extending from India and Sri Lanka in the west to Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia in the east.

Some populations of Asian Emerald Cuckoos are migratory, moving seasonally in search of food and suitable breeding grounds. These migrations can be influenced by factors like climate and food availability.

Subspecies

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx maculatus) is a bird species with a relatively wide distribution across various regions of Asia, and it is known to have several subspecies. Subspecies are geographically distinct populations of a species that may have slight variations in plumage, size, or behavior due to adaptation to their specific habitats. Here are some of the recognized subspecies of the Asian Emerald Cuckoo:

C. m. maculatus: 

This is the nominate subspecies and is found in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan. The male of this subspecies typically has a bright emerald-green plumage with a glossy sheen.

C. m. parvirostris:

This subspecies is found in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, and parts of Indochina. It is similar in appearance to the nominate subspecies but may exhibit some variations in plumage.

C. m. robinsoni:

Found in the Philippines, particularly on islands such as Luzon and Mindanao. This subspecies often has a more bluish-green hue compared to other subspecies.

C. m. minor:

Distributed in the Indonesian archipelago, including Sumatra, Java, and Bali. This subspecies may have slightly smaller body size compared to others.

C. m. saturatus: 

This subspecies inhabits the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, and parts of Borneo. It is characterized by its green plumage with a yellowish tinge on the underparts.

C. m. harterti:

Found in the southern parts of the Malay Peninsula and the nearby islands, this subspecies is known for its striking green plumage with a blue tinge on the head and neck.

C. m. rufomerus:

Inhabiting the island of Palawan in the Philippines, this subspecies is known for having a reddish-brown or rufous patch on its upper breast.

The distinctions between these subspecies can be subtle, and they are often based on geographic range and small differences in plumage characteristics. Ornithologists continue to study and refine the classification of subspecies within the Asian Emerald Cuckoo, so it's advisable to refer to the most recent taxonomic research for the latest information on subspecies.

Food

Asian Emerald Cuckoos are primarily insectivorous. They feed on a diet of insects, especially caterpillars, which they catch in flight or pick off foliage with their sharp bills. Their slender bodies and agile flight enable them to capture prey with precision. They are also known to feed on fruits and berries occasionally.

Call

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo is known for its melodious and distinctive calls, which can vary slightly among individuals and populations. These calls are often used for communication, territory defense, and courtship. Here is a description of the typical calls made by Asian Emerald Cuckoos:

Advertising Call (Song): 

The primary call of the Asian Emerald Cuckoo is a series of melodious and repetitive whistles. This song is often described as a high-pitched "wee-oo, wee-oo, wee-oo" or "pee-pee-pee-pee-pee." It's a pleasant and musical call that can be heard throughout their territories during the breeding season. Males are especially known for their vocalization as they advertise their presence and attempt to attract females.

Contact Calls:

 Asian Emerald Cuckoos may also use softer and shorter contact calls to communicate with one another within their territory. These contact calls can be more subdued and are often used for less conspicuous communication between individuals.

Alarm Calls: 

Like many bird species, Asian Emerald Cuckoos have specific alarm calls that they use when they perceive potential threats. These calls are typically sharp and serve to alert other birds in the vicinity of danger.

Courtship Calls:

 During courtship displays, males may enhance their song and call intensity to impress potential mates. These displays may include aerial acrobatics and fluttering flights accompanied by more enthusiastic singing.

These vocalizations are not only used for communication within the species but also help establish and defend territories during the breeding season. They are an essential part of the Asian Emerald Cuckoo's behavior and can often be heard echoing through the forested habitats they inhabit.

Nesting And Breeding

The nesting and breeding behavior of Asian Emerald Cuckoos (Chrysococcyx maculatus) is fascinating, as they are brood parasites, meaning they do not build their own nests but instead rely on other bird species to raise their young. Here's an overview of their nesting and breeding habits:

Nesting Behavior:

Selection of Host Species: 

The female Asian Emerald Cuckoo carefully selects a host species, typically smaller birds such as sunbirds, white-eyes, and other passerines. Each population of Asian Emerald Cuckoos may have specific host species preferences.

Egg-Laying: 

Once a suitable host nest is found, the female cuckoo sneaks into the nest of the chosen host. She lays her eggs in the host's nest, often removing one of the host's eggs to replace it with her own. This ensures that her egg is incubated and cared for by the host parents.

Breeding and Parenting:

1. Incubation: After laying her egg in the host nest, the Asian Emerald Cuckoo female does not return to incubate or care for her egg. Instead, she leaves the responsibility of incubation and chick-rearing to the unwitting host parents.

2. Mimicry: The cuckoo's egg often closely resembles the eggs of the host species, helping it blend in and avoid detection. This mimicry is critical to the success of the parasitic strategy.

3. Cuckoo Chick Development: Once the cuckoo chick hatches, it instinctively begins to demand food from the host parents, who typically feed it as they would their own chicks. The cuckoo chick often grows faster and can be more aggressive than the host chicks, potentially leading to the cuckoo chick outcompeting and sometimes even ejecting host chicks from the nest.

4. Fledging: Eventually, the cuckoo chick matures and fledges from the nest, often leaving behind the host parents who continue to care for it, mistakenly believing it to be their own offspring.

5. Repetition: Asian Emerald Cuckoos can repeat this parasitic behavior multiple times during a breeding season, laying eggs in the nests of different host species.

Advantages of Brood Parasitism:

• This breeding strategy allows the Asian Emerald Cuckoo to save energy and resources that would otherwise be spent on nest-building and chick-rearing.
• It also provides a level of protection for the cuckoo's own eggs and chicks, as the host parents defend the nest and provide food for all the chicks, including the parasitic cuckoo.

Challenges and Risks:

• While brood parasitism can be a successful strategy for the cuckoo, it can have negative consequences for the host species, which may end up investing time and resources in raising a chick that is not genetically related to them.
• Some host species have developed mechanisms to recognize and reject cuckoo eggs from their nests, leading to a co-evolutionary "arms race" between the cuckoo and its hosts.

In summary, the nesting and breeding behavior of the Asian Emerald Cuckoo revolves around brood parasitism, where the female cuckoo lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the host parents to incubate and care for the cuckoo chick, often to the detriment of their own offspring. This unusual reproductive strategy has evolved as an adaptation to the cuckoo's environment and provides certain advantages for its survival and reproduction.

Conservation Status

The Asian Emerald Cuckoo was not listed as a globally threatened or endangered species. However, like many other bird species, it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization. Additionally, climate change and the illegal pet trade can also pose risks to their populations.