Mon Dec 08 09:14:24 UTC 2025: Summary:
Two young birders, Amoggh Vjay Chatty and Aaditya S Rajesh, spotted and documented a rare Plaintive cuckoo at Odiyur lake near Chennai on November 30, 2025. This bird is usually found in North-eastern India, making its sighting in South India unusual. Experts confirmed the identification based on the bird’s distinctive markings, differentiating it from the more common Grey-bellied cuckoo.
News Article:
Rare Plaintive Cuckoo Sighted in South India by Teen Birders
Chennai, December 8, 2025 – A rare sighting of a Plaintive cuckoo, typically found in North-eastern India, has been documented at Odiyur lake near Chennai by two teenage bird enthusiasts, Amoggh Vjay Chatty and Aaditya S Rajesh.
The discovery occurred on November 30th while the boys were birdwatching with the Madras Naturalists Society. Amoggh, a Grade 10 student, and Aaditya, an 11th grader, captured photographic evidence of the bird, which was initially spotted perched on a shrub near the lake.
The sighting is significant because the Plaintive cuckoo is rarely seen in South India. Umesh Mani, a seasoned birder, noted the rarity of the bird in the region, attributing previous infrequent sightings to possible misidentification with the Grey-bellied cuckoo.
Online birding experts confirmed the species based on distinct features, including the bird’s barred tail and rufous coloration, which differentiates it from the Grey-bellied cuckoo. The sighting has been documented on eBird. This rare find underscores the importance of citizen science and the dedication of young birders in contributing to our understanding of local avian biodiversity.
First Piper 