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Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

A master of disguise, this notorious nest intruder is known for its iconic call that heralds the arrival of spring across Europe and beyond.
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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

The Cuckoo can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cuckoo can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cuckoo can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cuckoo is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Cuckoo displays remarkable agility, with its slender body and long, pointed wings enabling swift, undulating flight patterns. Its ability to manoeuvre through varied habitats, from woodlands to reed beds, demonstrates high aerial prowess.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong, the Common Cuckoo possesses adequate strength for its size. Its ability to remove host eggs and eject nestlings as a chick indicates a degree of physical power, though it's not known for feats of great strength as an adult.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Common Cuckoo exhibits extraordinary adaptability. Its parasitic breeding strategy, ability to mimic host eggs, and capacity to thrive in diverse habitats across Europe and Asia showcase remarkable adaptive skills. Additionally, its long-distance migration demonstrates adaptability to varying environments.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Though not typically aggressive towards other adult birds, the Common Cuckoo displays a form of reproductive aggression through its brood parasitism. The behaviour of cuckoo chicks ejecting host eggs or nestlings is notably aggressive, warranting a moderately high score.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Common Cuckoo's long-distance migration between Europe and Africa demonstrates considerable endurance. Its ability to undertake these journeys, coupled with the energy demands of finding and parasitising multiple host nests during breeding season, indicates high stamina and resilience.

Diet

Common Cuckoos primarily feed on insects, with a particular preference for hairy caterpillars that many other birds avoid. They also consume beetles, flies, and occasionally small frogs or lizards. Cuckoos often feed on the ground or glean prey from leaves and branches.

Behaviour

Common Cuckoos are known for their secretive nature and parasitic breeding habits. They are often more easily heard than seen, perching inconspicuously in trees.

These birds are solitary outside the breeding season and exhibit a distinctive, undulating flight pattern when moving between perches.

Vocalisation

The male Common Cuckoo's call is one of Europe's most recognisable bird sounds: a clear, far-carrying 'cuck-oo'. This two-note call is repeated several times in succession. Females produce a distinctive bubbling chuckle or 'water-bubble' call, often in response to the male's song.

Nesting & Breeding

Common Cuckoos are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The breeding season typically runs from late April to early July. Females locate suitable host nests, often those of small songbirds like reed warblers or meadow pipits.

The female cuckoo lays a single egg in the host nest, often removing one of the host's eggs. Cuckoo eggs mimic those of the host species in appearance. Host parents unknowingly incubate the cuckoo egg alongside their own.

The cuckoo chick hatches after 11-13 days and quickly ejects the host's eggs or chicks from the nest. It is then raised exclusively by the host parents, often growing much larger than them before fledging after about 17-21 days.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Cuckoo populations are declining in parts of Europe, including the UK. Habitat loss, climate change affecting migration patterns, and declines in host species populations are primary concerns. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitats and researching migration routes.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

40,000,000 - 74,999,999 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Listen for the distinctive 'cuck-oo' call of males in spring and early summer
  • Look for cuckoos perched on exposed branches or flying between trees
  • Observe areas near reed beds or woodland edges where host species are common
  • Watch for the characteristic undulating flight pattern

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Cuckoo, European Cuckoo

Family:

Cuculidae

Average Lifespan

6 to 8 years

Predators

Adult Common Cuckoos face predation from birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons. Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to nest predators including jays, magpies, and squirrels.

Did You Know?

  1. Common Cuckoos can mimic the egg patterns of up to 20 different host species.
  2. Cuckoo chicks can grow to be much larger than their foster parents.
  3. These birds are capable of eating hairy caterpillars that are toxic to many other bird species. A layer of bristles surrounds the cuckoo’s bill and protects its eyes.
  4. During their migration from Britain to the Congo, cuckoos cross the Sahara in one continuous 50-60 hour flight.

FAQs

When is the earliest Cuckoo in the UK usually?

The earliest Cuckoos arrive in the UK in late February. The rest of the population arrives over the following two months.

Are Cuckoos evil?

Despite their questionable breeding strategy, Cuckoos are not malicious creatures. Of course, killing off another species’ offspring and then manipulating them into feeding and caring for you is not the typical definition of kindness either!

What is a group of Cuckoos called?

Known collective nouns for a group of Cuckoos are as follows:

  • an asylum of cuckoos
  • a cooch of cuckoos
  • a family of cuckoos

Why don’t Cuckoos raise their own chicks?

Leaving their egg to hatch and be raised by an unsuspecting host allows Cuckoos to spend more time caring for themselves. They are not bound to their nest and, therefore, free to leave south on their annual migration to the rich foraging grounds of Africa long before their chicks can fend for themselves.

Why do Cuckoos steal nests?

Nest building is a time and energy-consuming task. Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests to maximise the chance of their offspring surviving and minimise the effort they must contribute.

References

  1. 1 2 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Cuculus canorus (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22683873A155496731.

    View source

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