Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Common Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird with a slender body and long, pointed wings. Adults have blue-grey upperparts, white underparts with dark barring, and a distinctive long, graduated tail. The head features a slightly curved, dark grey bill and striking yellow eyes ringed with yellow.
Juveniles differ from adults, showing rufous-brown upperparts with dark barring. Both sexes look similar, though females may have a slight rufous tinge to the neck and breast.
Size
Length
32cm to 34cm
Wingspan
55cm to 60cm
Weight
110g to 130g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey White
Secondary Colour
Brown
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Common Cuckoos inhabit many habitats, including woodlands, meadows, marshes, and farmland across Europe and Asia. They prefer areas with abundant host species for their parasitic breeding strategy.
These birds are summer visitors to the UK and much of Europe, arriving in April and departing for their African wintering grounds in July or August. They are widespread but declining in many regions.
Elevation Range
Up to 3,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cuckoo. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons