Pied Cuckoo

The pied cuckoo, also called the Jacobin cuckoo, is found in Africa and Asia and is partly migratory. In India it has been regarded as a harbinger of the monsoon because of the timing of its arrival, and it is linked to the chataka, a bird of Indian myth and poetry said to wait for rain to drink. The name Jacobin refers to its black-and-white plumage, which recalls the robes of Dominican friars (Wikipedia, general species account).

Three subspecies are recognised. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).