Pied Cuckoo

1. Bird Name
Pied Cuckoo, also known as Jacobin cuckoo or the Rainbird, carries the scientific name Clamator jacobinus.

2. Appearance
The Pied Cuckoo is striking in its appearance. It is characterized by its black and white plumage, hence the name ‘pied.’ The bird has a long slender beak, perfect for snagging its prey, and dark, expressive eyes. The upper parts, wings, and tail are glossy black, while the belly and underparts are stark white, creating a strong contrast. Both male and female Pied cuckoos look alike with the only significant difference being a slight size variation.

3. Size
Pied Cuckoos are quite sizeable. On average, these birds measure about 33 to 39 cm (approximately 12.9 to 15.4 inches) in length. The weight of an adult Pied Cuckoo ranges from 77 to 121 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
This bird species has a broad global range, populating several continents. Pied Cuckoos are found from Africa and India to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. They inhabit a range of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, open woodland, and areas close to human settlements. They are migratory birds; those in India, for example, migrate to Africa in the winter.

5. Interesting Facts
Pied Cuckoos are renowned for their brood parasitism behavior; they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species such as babblers. Another fascinating behavior is its association with monsoons. In India, it’s a harbinger of the rainy season, and folklore credits the bird’s calling as a signal of impending rains. Also, Pied Cuckoo features in traditional African medicine– attributed with magical qualities.

6. Diet
These birds are primarily insectivores. Their diet consists mainly of hairy caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and other insects and invertebrates.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Pied Cuckoo is usually solitary or in pairs. They’re known for their swift, low flight. Their call, a persistent “coo-coo” is a delight to the ears, often heard at dawn or dusk and during cloudy weather.

8. Conservation Status
The Pied Cuckoo is classified as ‘least concern’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, indicating it’s currently not facing any imminent extinction risks.

9. Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Pied Cuckoo is not well-studied, though, similar to other cuckoo species, they are believed to live between 6 to 12 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
In Hindi, Pied Cuckoo is widely known as ‘Chatak’ or ‘Chatri.’ It features in many folk songs communicating its association with love and longing due to its melodious call. Its species name “jacobinus” relates to the Jacobin order of monks, referring to the bird’s pied (black and white) coloring similar to the monk’s habit. It is a beneficial bird to humans as it feeds on many harmful insects. They also play a significant role in ecosystems, contributing to insect population control. The bird’s migration pattern itself signifies a natural phenomenon – the arrival of the monsoon. Hence, they are even considered bioindicators of weather patterns.