Great spotted cuckoo

The great spotted cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.

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Distribution

Region

Mediterranean Basin and Sub-Saharan Africa

Typical Environment

Breeds in open and semi-open habitats across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, wintering mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It favors scrub, savanna, olive groves, orchards, and farmland with scattered trees. The species is often found near host populations of magpies and corvids, including in human-modified landscapes. Avoids dense forests but uses hedgerows and woodland edges for foraging and cover.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size35–39 cm

Wing Span58–66 cm

Male Weight0.13 kg

Female Weight0.12 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A brood parasite, the great spotted cuckoo lays its eggs mainly in the nests of magpies and crows. Unlike the common cuckoo, its chick typically does not evict host young, instead competing alongside them. Young produce a foul-smelling defensive secretion when threatened, deterring predators. It is a member of the cuckoo order (Cuculiformes), which also includes roadrunners, anis, and coucals.

Gallery

Clamator glandarius in a clutch of Corvus cornix - MHNT

Behaviour

Temperament

wary and agile

Flight Pattern

direct flight with rapid wingbeats interspersed with short glides

Social Behavior

Often seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season, with loose associations in suitable foraging areas. It is an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of magpies and other corvids; adults may distract hosts during laying. Chicks beg vigorously and are fed by host parents, generally without ejecting host nestlings.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

Vocalizations are harsh, chattering series of shacks and raspy notes, often delivered from exposed perches. Males give insistent repeated phrases during the breeding season. Calls can carry over long distances in open habitats.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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