The cuckoo, common cuckoo, European cuckoo or Eurasian cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.
Region
Palearctic (breeding) and sub-Saharan Africa (wintering)
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across Europe and temperate Asia wherever suitable host passerines are abundant. Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, heathlands, moorland, farmland with hedgerows, and reedbeds. Avoids dense, continuous forest and very arid habitats. In winter it occupies African savannas, woodland edges, and scrub. It follows host-rich mosaics of habitats rather than any single vegetation type.
Altitude Range
0–3000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The common cuckoo is famous for brood parasitism, laying its eggs in the nests of other smaller birds and leaving them to raise the chick. Females often mimic the egg pattern of their host species, and the chick instinctively ejects the host’s eggs or chicks. The male’s “cuck-oo” call is one of the most recognizable sounds of spring in Europe. They are long‑distance migrants, breeding across the Palearctic and wintering in Africa.
Common cuckoo in flight
A Eurasian cuckoo (C. c. bakeri) from Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in East Sikkim, India.
Cuckoo adult (top) mimics sparrowhawk, giving females time to lay eggs parasitically
This Eurasian reed warbler is raising a common cuckoo.
Four clutches of reed warbler eggs, each containing one (larger) cuckoo egg
Two common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus canorus) eggs (left) compared with eggs of a great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
Common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus bangsi) egg (left) compared with eggs of a Moussier's redstart (Phoenicurus moussieri)
A chick of the common cuckoo in the nest of a tree pipit
Golden cuckoo in the coat of arms of Suomenniemi
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with swift, direct flight and brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of brief courtship chases. Does not build its own nest; females lay single eggs in host nests, often removing one host egg. Hosts include warblers, pipits, wagtails, and other small passerines. Territorial males advertise and attract females with persistent calling.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The male’s resonant two-note “cuck-oo” carries over long distances and is a hallmark of spring across much of Europe. Females give a rapid, bubbling call. Calls are most frequent during the breeding season and can trigger alarm in some host species.
Plumage
Adult male shows smooth grey head, neck, and upperparts with clean white underparts finely barred dark. Females are similar but may be a rufous (hepatic) morph with reddish-brown tones and strong barring above and below. Long graduated tail with white spots and a hawk-like silhouette.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects, especially hairy caterpillars that many birds avoid, as well as beetles, moths, and other larvae. Has a specialized digestive system that allows it to handle toxic or spiny prey. Will also take spiders and other small invertebrates, and rarely small amounts of fruit.
Preferred Environment
Forages by gleaning from foliage and branches in open woodland, scrub, hedgerows, and reedbeds. Also hunts along forest edges and in farmland mosaics where host species occur. Occasionally feeds on the ground in open areas.
