Cuckoo

“The Channel-billed Cuckoo is the world’s largest cuckoo.”

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

The family contains 127 species of birds, however, and 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 interesting facts about them.

Males make a distinctive call, which is the meaning behind the cuckoo name. When you hear the call, you will immediately realize why the bird is called the cuckoo.

3 Incredible Cuckoo Facts!

• Some species of 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 17 grams.

Where to Find Cuckoos

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

Scientific Name

The scientific name for the Cuckoo is Cuculidae.

Appearance

With 127 species making up this family, it is difficult to accurately describe the bird. Some key identification points of the family are the feet and the tail feathers. All members of this family have zygodactyl feet, meaning its two inner toes point forward while its two outer twos point toward the rear of its body. Most species in this family have long tail feathers. The tail is used to guide the bird, both on land and in the air.

Evolution and Classification

The evolutionary history of the cuckoo is shrouded in mystery owing to a dearth of fossil evidence. However, experts assert that the Dynamopterus velox, is an ancestor of the species. The bird became known to science owing to the discovery of its right humerus in France. It was larger than its present-day descendant.

The cuckoo belongs to the family Cuculidae, the only group of related organisms which form the order Cuculiformes. The family is a pretty large one consisting of 33 genera and 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 unwitting parent. The result is their hatchlings leading a pampered existence at the expense of the deceived bird’s very own offspring. 

As part of the wider Otidimorphae, cuckoos are also related to the following avians:

Musophagidae: Members of this family are frugivorous and are especially fond of figs. In spite of poor flying skills, they are excellent sprinters and expert tree climbers. They are also especially vocal and are rather fond of each others’ company. They are also known for their feathers which contain the pigment turacin. Examples include the Guinea turaco and the great blue turaco.

Otidiformes: Members of this family generally make their homes on vast grasslands and are omnivores with a fondness for seeds, fruits, leaves, and small animals. The entire order consists of bustards, floricans, and korhaans. Examples include the great bustard, the blue korhaan, and the Northern black bustard.

Types 

• The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): Recognizable by its gray plumage and striped chest feathers, this avian is capable of growing 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 which 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 is capable of growing to 19.7 inches and weighing 2.1 ounces at the most.
• 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. Members are capable of growing to a maximum of 15 inches in length.
• 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.

Behavior

One behavior that makes identification of the cuckoo easier is their 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 raids on their nest 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. Some are monogamous, generally, the same species that are migratory. Some species lay their eggs in communal nests. The act that cuckoo birds are known for, which is laying their eggs in nests belonging to other birds, is not typical of the entire species. Some species are known for finding host birds, where they lay their eggs. The host bird then raises the cuckoo as its own.

Population

There are an estimated between 25 and 100 million birds.

1. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/cuckoo
2. Audubon, Available here: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-cuckoo