The lesser cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
Region
East Asia and the Himalayas
Typical Environment
Breeds from the Himalayan foothills across China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, favoring forest edges, secondary woodland, bamboo, and scrub. During migration it passes through Southeast Asia. It winters mainly in East Africa, occupying woodland, thickets, and wooded savannas. It uses dense cover for foraging but also perches conspicuously when singing. Human-modified landscapes with scattered trees are also used.
Altitude Range
0–3200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The lesser cuckoo is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of smaller insectivorous birds, leaving the hosts to raise its young. In Japan it is famous in poetry and folklore, known for its evocative, far-carrying song at dusk. It closely resembles other grey cuckoos but is smaller, with a more delicate build and faster, more direct flight.
Lesser cuckoo on a 1971 Japanese stamp
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; strong, direct flier
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly, especially males singing from elevated perches during the breeding season. It is an obligate brood parasite and does not build its own nest, laying eggs in the nests of small passerines such as bush warblers. Courtship involves persistent singing and display flights; after laying, adults provide no parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A loud, clear, and repetitive whistle, often rendered as a piping sequence that carries far, especially at dawn and dusk. The song is a hallmark of early summer in Japan and adjacent regions. Calls include sharp notes given in flight and softer contact calls.
Plumage
Adult with smooth grey head and upper breast, darker grey-brown upperparts, and clean white underparts finely barred with dark bars. Tail is dark with pale spots and white tips; a rufous female morph occurs with reddish-brown tones and barring above. Juveniles are more heavily barred and often show a buffy wash.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects, especially caterpillars, including hairy species avoided by many birds. Also takes beetles, moths, and other soft-bodied invertebrates gleaned from foliage and branches. Occasionally sallies to snatch prey in the air or on the ground.
Preferred Environment
Forages in wooded edges, thickets, bamboo stands, and secondary forests, often within the mid- to upper canopy. Will use parks, gardens, and agricultural mosaics with scattered trees during migration and on wintering grounds.
