Levaillant's cuckoo is a cuckoo which is a resident breeding species in Africa south of the Sahara. It is found in bushy habitats. It is a brood parasite, using the nests of bulbuls and babblers. It was named in honour of the French explorer, collector and ornithologist, François Le Vaillant.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across bushy and wooded habitats south of the Sahara, especially in southern and eastern Africa. It favors thornbush, savanna edges, riverine thickets, and secondary growth, and readily uses dense shrubbery near water. The species is often found along woodland margins and scrubby valleys, avoiding deep, closed forest. It adapts to semi-arid thornveld as well as moister riparian corridors. Local movements track rainfall and host availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Levaillant's cuckoo is a brood parasite that commonly lays its eggs in the nests of bulbuls and babblers. It is named after the French naturalist François Le Vaillant, who explored southern Africa. Its loud, mellow whistles carry far through bushy savannas, often betraying an otherwise secretive bird. In flight it shows striking white spots on the wings and white-tipped tail feathers.
View of upperparts
Clamator levaillantii in a spawn of Turdoide plebejus - MHNT
Temperament
secretive but vocal
Flight Pattern
direct flight with steady wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs outside the breeding season. As a brood parasite, it does not build its own nest and instead lays in nests of bulbuls and babblers. Breeding is timed to coincide with host nesting, often after rains. Displays include calling from exposed perches and short chases.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of mellow, fluty whistles that often descend in pitch, repeated persistently from a prominent perch. Also gives bubbling and chuckling notes during interactions. Calls carry well over bush and savanna.
