Cuco menor

1. Nombre del ave
The bird under discussion is known commonly as the Lesser Cuckoo, scientifically referred to as Cuculus poliocephalus.

2. Aspecto
The Lesser Cuckoo is a fascinating bird with a distinct appearance. The male, distinguishable by its greyish upper body, has a round head, short beak, and long, pointed wings. Its underside ranges from white to pale grey with dark grey barring. The tail is edged with white, creating a fanciful contrast. The female is similar, but browner, with dark barring on the breast and belly. Both sexes boast piercing yellowish eyes that stand out. Immature birds bear resemblance to females in terms of color, though with a slightly different pattern.

3. Tamaño
This medium-sized bird ranges in length from 25 cm to 28 cm (9.8 inches to 11 inches), with an average wingspan of about 47 cm (18.5 inches). Its weight ranges from around 50 to 90 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
The Lesser Cuckoo is a migratory bird. Found throughout many parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, they summer in China, Korea, and Japan, whereas winters are spent in Africa. Habitually, they prefer open woodland, farmland with scattered trees, and plantations.

5. Datos de interés
This bird possesses one of the most distinct and beautiful voices among birds and is regarded in Japan as harbinger of the spring season. Famed worldwide, their song even inspired a traditional Japanese lullaby known as “The Cuckoo’s Song”. Furthermore, and perhaps most intriguingly, Cuckoos are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in other bird species’ nests, thus tricking them into raising their young for them.

6. Dieta
The Lesser Cuckoo has a diverse diet – primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of insects and caterpillars, but also occasionally preying on small vertebrates.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
This bird usually remains inconspicuous due to their quiet demeanor and elusive nature. They are solitary birds, only coming together during the mating period. Notably, their song is highly attractive and their melodic “coo-coo” can be heard during summer nights.

8. Estado de conservación
Currently, the Lesser Cuckoo has been listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, indicating a relatively stable population.

9. Vida útil
The average lifespan of the Lesser Cuckoo in the wild is unclear but is thought to be at least 6 to 10 years. Research for their lifespan in captivity is limited due to their migratory habits and elusive nature.

10. Notas adicionales
In Korea, the cuckoo is known as ‘duk-duk-gu-ri-gu’, a name that mimics its call, and in Japanese, it is referred to as ‘Hototogisu’, symbol of love and longing. Their impact on ecosystems is mainly as a predator of insects, contributing to the control of pest populations. Lastly, due to the unique adaptation of brood parasitism, they have a significant effect on their host species, influencing their survival and breeding strategies. Their relationship with humans varies from admiration for the beauty of their songs to frustration by birdwatchers about their elusive nature.