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.”