Sighting of the grey-bellied cuckoo, uncommon in urban areas, raises concerns about habitat shifts and the impacts of city-edge deforestation
The grey-bellied cuckoo spotted in Dindoshi, Goregaon, near Aarey forest. Pic/Suyash Tilak
The sighting of a grey-bellied cuckoo, typically found in open woodlands, scrub, and forest edges, has surprised bird enthusiasts after it was spotted in Dindoshi, near Aarey forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Actor, wildlife photographer, and environmentalist Suyash Tilak, who has been documenting avian biodiversity in the region, was the first to detect the bird’s presence through its distinct calls, which he later confirmed through visual documentation.
Speaking to mid-day, Tilak said, “I’ve been hearing calls almost every night, continuing into the morning. Initially, I was confused because the sounds were distant, and the rain made it difficult to identify the bird. But after four or five days, I was both surprised and thrilled to spot a Grey-bellied Cuckoo, a species not typically associated with this area.”
This bird is rarely recorded in urban pockets like Goregaon, making the sighting even more significant.
Tilak noted that while the monsoon breeding season makes these cuckoos more vocal and active, the unusual appearance might also point to broader environmental changes.
“With the onset of the breeding season, these cuckoos naturally become more visible. But what’s concerning is the rapid habitat destruction happening along Mumbai’s fringes. It’s very likely that birds displaced from their usual territories are now exploring new and atypical areas.
This sighting was a quiet yet urgent reminder of the delicate balance we’re disrupting. It was a privilege to witness this bird in such an unexpected location — but also a call to protect our remaining natural habitats,” he added.
According to iNaturalist (a global social network for naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists), the grey-bellied cuckoo, also known as the Indian plaintive cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus), has a wide distribution across Asia.
Mahesh Yadav, a local birder, said, “It’s truly exciting to spot a Grey-bellied Cuckoo in Mumbai! These elegant birds are rare in urban areas, so this sighting suggests that we still have some valuable green spaces left, however small. Such occurrences, both within the city and its outskirts, highlight the importance of preserving these habitats for all bird species.”
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