Cuckoo

Quick Take

• The cuckoo's reputation as a nest-hijacking parasite tells only part of the story, and the full picture is far stranger. Explore brood parasitism →
• One famous bird you'd never associate with the cuckoo family is actually one of its members, and this surprising relative can do something remarkable on foot. Meet the roadrunner relative →
• Cuckoo chicks don't just survive in a stranger's nest. The moment they hatch, they take a dark, ruthless step. See what hatchlings do →
• Cuckoos have a physical feature on their feet that sets them apart from most birds, and this same feature doubles as a survival tool. Discover their zygodactyl feet →

The cuckoo family of birds is interesting for many reasons. While some of the facts about the bird are exaggerated, such as its reputation as a parasitic bird, there is some truth to the lore. Some species of the family lay their eggs in host nests, leaving the host to raise their young.

The family contains around 150 species of birds; however, many raise their young on their own. Some species lay their eggs in communal nests, sharing the responsibility. The parenting behavior of the cuckoo family is one of the most diverse and fascinating aspects of the family.

Males make a distinctive call, which is the origin of the name ‘cuckoo’. When you hear the call, you will immediately realize why the bird is called the cuckoo.

3 Incredible Cuckoo Facts

• Some species lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. Once the young hatch, they push the host bird’s eggs out of the nest to eliminate competition for food.
• The roadrunner is a member of the cuckoo family. The greater roadrunner can reach speeds of 26 miles per hour on foot.
• The smallest cuckoo species, the little bronze cuckoo, weighs about 0.6 ounces (17 grams).

Where to Find Cuckoos

These birds can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in forests, grasslands, and other environments.

Evolution and Classification

The evolutionary history of the cuckoo is shrouded in mystery due to a lack of fossil evidence. However, some researchers suggest that the Dynamopterus velox may be an ancestor of the species, though this remains uncertain. The species became known to science through the discovery of its right humerus in France. It was larger than its present-day descendants.

The cuckoo belongs to the family Cuculidae, the only group of related organisms that form the order Cuculiformes. The family is a large one, consisting of at least 33 genera and approximately 150 species. Included in that vast collective are anis, coucals, and roadrunners.

Several species are terrestrial and exhibit a strange habit of laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. This practice is known as brood parasitism and involves a species delegating the raising of its young to another, often unknowing host parent. The result is that their hatchlings thrive at the expense of the deceived bird’s own offspring. 

Classification and Scientific Name

Cuckoos are classified in the order Cuculiformes, which consists of a single family, Cuculidae. This diverse family encompasses about 150 species, including true cuckoos, roadrunners, koels, coucals, and anis.

Types 

Some of the approximately 150 species include:

• The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): Recognizable by its gray plumage and striped chest feathers, this bird can grow to 13 inches in length. It also has a wingspan of 2 feet and prefers to spend the winter in Africa, spending the rest of its time in Asia or Europe.
• The African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus): This cuckoo has a range that covers most of Africa south of the Sahara.  The plumage of males is a shimmering green with hints of black and yellow on the upper surface, and yellow on the chest. In females, it tends to be less brilliant with hints of red and brown.
• The blue coua (Coua caerulea): The key distinguishing features of this bird include dusky blue plumage, double patches in differing shades of vivid blue surrounding both eyes, and long dark tail feathers. It can grow up to 19.7 inches and weigh up to 268 grams (9.4 ounces).
• The Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis):  As far as this species goes, both males and females have similar plumage. Their chest and chin feathers are ivory, their wings russet, and their crown and tail feathers black. These birds can grow to a maximum length of 15 inches.
• The violet cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus): Males of this species have dark violet feathers and barred chest feathers in black and white. Females, on the other hand, have a gleaming brown-green plumage. The species lives in Southeast Asia and can be found in Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines.

Appearance

With about 150 species making up this family, it is difficult to accurately describe the birds. Some key identification points of the family are the feet and the tail feathers. Most members of this family have zygodactyl feet, meaning their two inner toes point forward while their two outer toes point backward. Most species in this family have long tail feathers. The tail is used to guide the bird, both on land and in the air.

Behavior

One behavior that makes the identification of the cuckoo easier is its solitary nature. These birds rarely gather with others, either in pairs or groups. The birds in this family are most often active during the day and shy away from humans. The eager birder will have more luck listening to the sound of its song than seeing it.

Diet

Insects, caterpillars, and fruit make up the bird’s diet.

Predators and Threats

Fledglings are vulnerable to nest raids by snakes and raccoons, while adult birds may fall prey to predatory birds, such as hawks.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

The various species of cuckoo birds have different mating and breeding behaviors. Those that are monogamous are generally the same migratory species. Some species lay their eggs in communal nests. Laying eggs in other birds’ nests — the act cuckoos are most known for — is not typical of the entire family. Some species are known for seeking out host birds in whose nests they lay their eggs. The host bird then raises the cuckoo as its own.

Population

There are an estimated 25 to 100 million birds.