Common cuckoo

Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a species of cuckoo in the bird family Cuculidae. As a brood parasite, it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, particularly those of dunnocks, meadow pipits, and reed warblers. The adult cuckoo is known for its distinctive two-note call, which has given rise to its name. The species is widespread across Europe and Asia, and migrates to Africa during the winter.

Description

The Common Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird, measuring 32–34 cm in length and weighing 110–130 g. The males have a greyish plumage with a slightly paler underbelly, while females can vary between a grey morph and a rufous morph, the latter being browner in color. Both sexes have long tails and strong legs, with a distinctive downward curve to the bill.

Behavior

Brood Parasitism

The most notable behavior of the Common Cuckoo is its practice of brood parasitism. Unlike most birds, cuckoos do not build their own nests. Instead, the female cuckoo lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species. The cuckoo egg hatches earlier than the host's eggs, and the cuckoo chick often ejects the host's eggs or young from the nest. This ensures that the cuckoo chick receives all the food and care from the unsuspecting host parents.

Diet

The diet of the Common Cuckoo primarily consists of insects, with a preference for caterpillars. They are also known to eat eggs and larvae of other insects, providing a natural control for some pest species.

Distribution and Habitat

The Common Cuckoo is found across Europe and Asia, with its breeding range extending from the UK and Spain in the west, across to Japan in the east. It prefers open landscapes with scattered trees and bushes, which provide ample opportunities for feeding and brood parasitism. During the winter, it migrates to sub-Saharan Africa, where it lives in a variety of habitats, from savannah to forest edges.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List currently lists the Common Cuckoo as Least Concern (LC). Although there are no immediate threats to the species as a whole, local declines have been noted in parts of its range. These declines are thought to be linked to reductions in the populations of suitable host species, as well as changes in agricultural practices that reduce the availability of suitable nesting sites.

Cultural Significance

The call of the cuckoo has been celebrated in folklore and music for centuries, often symbolizing the arrival of spring. The bird's unique breeding behavior has also made it a symbol of unfaithfulness and trickery in many cultures.

See Also

• Brood parasitism
• Bird migration
• IUCN Red List