Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Large hawk-cuckoo

Hierococcyx sparverioides

Nicholas Aylward Vigors, 1832

In Thai: นกคัคคูเหยี่ยวใหญ่

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. They are also somewhat larger and adults can be readily told apart from the smaller common hawk-cuckoo by the black patch on the chin. They are brood-parasites of babblers and laughing-thrushes.

Distribution

It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Found as a vagrant on Christmas Island. The subspecies H. s. bocki of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo is usually considered a separate species, the dark hawk-cuckoo.

Habitats

Its natural habitats are temperate forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.

Behavior

They call in summer and calling goes on well after dusk. In their winter grounds, they tend to be silent.

Like many other cuckoos, this species is a brood parasite. Many laughing-thrushes (example Garrulax sannio) are capable of detecting the eggs of the cuckoo and remove them. The cuckoos lay eggs that mimic those of their hosts.

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Category / Seasonal Status

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Cuculiformes
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Hierococcyx
Species
Hierococcyx sparverioides

Common names

  • Thai: นกคัคคูเหยี่ยวใหญ่

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Large hawk-cuckoo
Large hawk-cuckoo

Range Map

Distribution map of Large hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx sparverioides in Thailand
  • Ao Phang-Nga National Park
  • Bang Lamung District, Chonburi
  • Bang Phra Non-Hunting Area
  • Bang Pu Recreation Centre
  • Bang Saphan Noi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Bangkok Province
  • Bueng Boraped Non-Hunting Area
  • Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Saraburi
  • Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Lang
  • Doi Lo District, Chiang Mai
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Erawan National Park
  • Huai Nam Dang National Park
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi
  • Khon San District, Chaiyaphum
  • Khun Chae National Park
  • Klaeng District, Rayong
  • Ko Libong
  • Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Laem Pak Bia
  • Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Moei National Park
  • Mae Ping National Park
  • Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen
  • Mueang Maha Sarakham District, Maha Sarakham
  • Mueang Nonthaburi District, Nonthaburi
  • Mueang Phatthalung District, Phatthalung
  • Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
  • Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai
  • Mueang Suphanburi District, Suphan Buri
  • Mueang Tak District, Tak
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Namtok Mae Surin National Park
  • Nong Bong Khai Non-Hunting Area
  • Nong Prue District, Kanchanaburi
  • Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Op Khan National Park
  • Pa Sang District, Lamphun
  • Pai District, Mae Hong Son
  • Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok
  • Pha Daeng National Park
  • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Suan Sai National Park
  • Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Pran Buri Forest Park
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
  • Samae San Island
  • Samut Prakan Province
  • Sri Nakarin Dam National Park
  • Sri Phang-nga National Park
  • Taksin Maharat National Park
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Tat Mok National Park
  • Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi
  • Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area
  • Thap Lan National Park
  • Wat Phai Lom & Wat Ampu Wararam Non-Hunting Area
Range map of Hierococcyx sparverioides in Thailand