cuckoo
1. Bird Name
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)
2. Appearance
The Common Cuckoo possesses an iconic and subtly intriguing appearance. Adults have long, slim bodies, pointed wings, and long tails. The head is small with a pointed, slightly curved beak. They embolden the duller grey and white. The males wear a uniform slate grey on their upper bodies, while their bellies are white with dark, thin bars. The females come in two forms. The grey form resembles male but is a bit browner, while the rufous form highlights a richer brown colour with an array of white bars. Both sexes have yellow eyes circled with a metallic blue outer ring, which creates an intense gaze.
3. Size
The Common Cuckoo measures about 32-37 cm (13-14.5 inches) in length. Possessing a wingspan of approximately 55-60 cm (22-24 inches), they weigh within the range of 110 to 130 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution
The geographical spread of the Common Cuckoo spans Europe, Asia, and Africa. During the breeding season, it inhabits Europe, as far north as Scandinavia, and eastern Asia. It prefers open woodlands, heaths, and farmlands where bushes and trees offer ideal nesting spots. During winters, it migrates to the warmer climates of Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. Interesting Facts
The Common Cuckoo is renowned for its intriguing parasitic breeding behavior: instead of building their own nests, female cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The unique behavior of the cuckoo hatchling to evict its host offspring is also remarkable. They have a special call, a two-note ‘cu-ckoo’ that has inspired countless songs, folklore, and even cuckoo clocks.
6. Diet
The Common Cuckoo primarily eats a wide range of insects and larvae, but are particularly fond of hairy caterpillars, which are noxious to many other bird species. Also, their diet portfolio includes beetles, wasps, spiders, and worms.
7. Behavior & Sounds
The cuckoo’s infamous brood parasitism behavior is arguably its most unique trait. The female cuckoo will quickly remove an egg from the host’s nest, lay her own in its place and disappear. The male cuckoo’s song is distinctive, a repetitious ‘coo-coo’, hence their name. It’s a ‘herald of spring’.
8. Conservation Status
The Common Cuckoo’s conservation status is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population trend, however, is decreasing.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, the average lifespan of a cuckoo is approximately 6-7 years. There are records of some living for up to 16 years in captivity.
10. Additional Notes
In Finland, the cuckoo is called “Käki”, and the first ‘coo-coo’ of the spring often makes the news headlines. The cuckoo plays a critical ecological role by controlling insect and caterpillar populations. Their remarkable parasitic nesting behavior often leads to fascinating studies about bird behavior and evolution.
