Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Northern populations migrate to overwinter in Borneo. It is known to perch in the crowns of tall trees, making direct observation difficult. The northern hawk-cuckoo, along with the Malaysian hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx fugax) and the Hodgson’s hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx nisicolor), were all once considered the same species, H. fugax. All three were recently split into their own monotypic species. The genus Hierococcyx are called hawk-cuckoos due to their broad, rounded wings and plumage which lend them great resemblance to Japanese and Chinese sparrowhawks. (Wikipedia, general species account).

The northern hawk-cuckoo or rufous hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx hyperythrus) belongs to cuckoo found in eastern China, North and South Korea, far eastern Russia, and Japan. This elusive species is considered rare over most of its range and many of its life history traits remain understudied. Underpart of wings sport yellow patches, similar in colour to gape and hypothesized to aid in begging for food from host parents. (Wikipedia, general species account).