Barred Cuckoo-Dove

Overview

The barred cuckoo-dove (Macropygia unchall) is a bird species in the family Columbidae native to South and Southeast Asia. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large range and stable population trend.

Identification

• Measures 37 to 41 cm in length with blackish brown upperparts and a buff throat that turns pinkish grey at the crown.
• Features a short black beak, red feet, and yellow or pale brown irises.
• Heavily barred reddish brown tail and black barring on the mantle, breast, coverts, and tail distinguish it from the smaller and paler little cuckoo-dove.
• Emits a loud kro-uum or u-va vocalization where the second note is louder than the first.

Habitat

Found from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, this species inhabits dense subtropical woodlands on montane slopes at altitudes of 800 to 3,000 m. It prefers clearings and the edges of old-growth and second-growth forests.

Did you know?

The Lepcha people of Sikkim refer to the species as ka ar fo, while the Mizo people of Mizoram call it Ṭhumimeisei.