Oriental Cuckoo

Cuculus optatus is an Asian migratory cuckoo recorded as a vagrant in New Zealand. It differs from long-tailed cuckoo through its smaller size, shorter rounded tail and more evenly barred underparts. Adults are grey above with a pale barred underside and yellow eye-ring. Some females are rufous and heavily barred.

New Zealand records are scattered and irregular, often involving offshore islands or coastal sites. The normal breeding range lies across northern Asia, with migration to Australasia. It searches foliage for caterpillars and other large insects. In its breeding range it parasitises the nests of small songbirds.

The New Zealand classification is Vagrant. There is no reliable site; Raoul Island and coastal headlands have produced occasional records.