This species occurs in both gray and hepatic morphs. Males are invariably gray; females may be either, but are usually hepatic. This is an obligate brood parasite. It usually chooses prinias, taylorbirds and cisticolas as victims. These species have woven nests with small entrance holes. The cuckoo removes eggs from the host nest and replaces them with its own. Reports that these cuckoos may lay their own eggs elsewhere and deliver them to the host nest in their bill is incorrect. Instead, the females extrude their abdomen over the small nest opening and lay directly. Populations resident in northern and central Thailand are C. m. querulus.
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