cuckoo bird
1. Bird Name
The Cuckoo Bird, scientifically known as Cuculidae.
2. Appearance
The Cuckoo Birds are an expansive species, with variations in different subfamilies, but the Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, is perhaps the most well known. They bear long, slender bodies with pointed wings and long tails, enabling sound and agile flight. The males possess a unique blue-grey coloration, with barred grey-belly, white vent, and a yellow ring around each eye. The females can either mirror the males’ coloration or display a rufous and brown pattern. Both genders include strong, slightly down-curved bills for insect consumption.
3. Size
On average, the Common Cuckoo measures about 32-37 cm (12-15 inches) in length. Their wingspans can stretch between 55 and 60 cm. Cuckoo birds generally weigh between 110 – 130g.
4. Habitat & Distribution
Cuckoos inhabit a diverse array of geographic areas. Their primary breeding grounds include Europe, Asia, and some parts of North Africa. During winter, they migrate to warmer regions in Africa. These birds appreciate various habitats including woodland, farmland, marshes, and grassland.
5. Interesting Facts
Exceptionally, instead of building their nests, cuckoos practice “brood parasitism.” The female lays her eggs in other birds’ nests, tricking them into hatching and raising her offspring along with their own. Astonishingly, the newly hatched cuckoo often ejects its foster siblings from the nest to secure more resources. Cuckoos are also known for their distinctive two-note call, which is a source of many folklores and cultural references.
6. Diet
Cuckoos feed primarily on insects, with a particular liking for caterpillars. They also eat small invertebrates and occasionally, seeds and berries.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Cuckoos are solitary birds, only interacting during the breeding season. Their flight is rapid and straight, often catching insects in mid-air. Their call is traditionally represented as ‘cuck-oo’, a sound that has become synonymous with the arrival of spring. It is only the males that produce the iconic ‘cuck-oo’ sound while the females make a bubbling noise.
8. Conservation Status
The Common Cuckoo’s status, according to the IUCN Red List, is “Least Concern” as the species is widely spread and abundant. However, there is a noted decline in their population in Europe and Asia due to habitat loss and changes in climate.
9. Lifespan
Cuckoo birds can live up to 7-8 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is not well-studied because they are rarely kept in captivity due to their parasitic breeding behavior.
10. Additional Notes
In India, they are locally known as ‘Koel.’ Their association with the arrival of spring has positioned them in cultural significance in literature, poetry, and music. The cuckoo’s ability to dupe other birds into raising its young also represents cunning and trickery in some cultures. Their diet contributes significantly to controlling the population of insects, thus serving an essential role in the ecosystem. Although they live apart from humans, their evocative call has woven them into our cultural fabric.
