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Birds · Sumatera · Java

Plaintive Cuckoo

Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus). The plaintive cuckoo is a widely distributed Asian cuckoo; voice and place are valuable because several small cuckoos look alike.

Updated Facts checked Cacomantis merulinusEditorial standards

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Photograph of Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus).
(c) Samuel Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Plaintive Cuckoo at a glance

The Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) is a bird in the family Cuculidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sumatra. Diet: insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Plaintive Cuckoo
Scientific nameCacomantis merulinus
Indonesian nameWiwik kelabu
GroupBirds
FamilyCuculidae
Observation recordsNusa Tenggara, Java, Sumatra
Taxonomic groupCuculiformes
GBIF records4,955 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars · Oiseaux-Birds
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Oiseaux-Birds
ActiveDiurnal (active by day) — Often heard calling by day or night, especially in the breeding season. · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Plaintive Cuckoo?

Plaintive Cuckoo refers to Cacomantis merulinus, in the genus Cacomantis, family Cuculidae, and order Cuculiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Plaintive Cuckoo?

The plaintive cuckoo is a widely distributed Asian cuckoo; voice and place are valuable because several small cuckoos look alike.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Plaintive Cuckoo?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,955 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sumatra. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Plaintive Cuckoo?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Plaintive Cuckoo with Sahul Brush Cuckoo, Lesser Coucal, Metallic Starling. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Plaintive Cuckoo

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderCuculiformes
FamilyCuculidae
GenusCacomantis
SpeciesCacomantis merulinus

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Plaintive Cuckoo

What is the scientific name of the Plaintive Cuckoo?

The scientific name of the Plaintive Cuckoo is Cacomantis merulinus, in the family Cuculidae and the order Cuculiformes. In Indonesian it is called Wiwik kelabu.

What kind of animal is the Plaintive Cuckoo?

The Plaintive Cuckoo is a bird in the family Cuculidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars.

Where does the Plaintive Cuckoo live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Plaintive Cuckoo summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sumatra. That list is not a complete range map.

What does the Plaintive Cuckoo eat?

The Plaintive Cuckoo is a insect-eater, especially hairy caterpillars. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Oiseaux-Birds.

How does the Plaintive Cuckoo reproduce?

The Plaintive Cuckoo reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Brood parasite: lays its eggs in other birds’ nests, and the hosts incubate and raise the chick. Source: Oiseaux-Birds.

Is the Plaintive Cuckoo nocturnal?

The cited source records the Plaintive Cuckoo as diurnal (active by day). Often heard calling by day or night, especially in the breeding season. Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the Plaintive Cuckoo?

Scientific classification of the Plaintive Cuckoo: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Cuculiformes, family Cuculidae, genus Cacomantis, species Cacomantis merulinus.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Plaintive Cuckoo endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Plaintive Cuckoo is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Plaintive Cuckoo is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗
  5. Oiseaux-Birds ↗
  6. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
  7. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  8. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cacomantis-merulinus/

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