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:*Brown: rufous brown upperparts and breast<br /> | :*Brown: rufous brown upperparts and breast<br /> | ||
In both sexes, the underwing shows a pattern of pale, dark, white, dark from front to back, and the tail feathers show a pattern or white spots or bands. | In both sexes, the underwing shows a pattern of pale, dark, white, dark from front to back, and the tail feathers show a pattern or white spots or bands. | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:common_cuckoo_alok.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''C. c. bakeri''<br />Photo by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />[[Keoladeo National Park]], Bharatpur, [[India]], June-2017]] |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Common and very widespread throughout the region. Breeds in the [[British Isles]] and mainland [[Europe]] from [[Iberia]] east to the [[Urals]] and [[Caspian]]. In the north breeds throughout [[Scandinavia]], except the extreme north coast and north to about 66° N in [[Russia]]. In the south breeds along north coast of Mediterranean and on the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]], and throughout most of [[Turkey]]. Breeds patchily in the [[Middle East]] and in North [[Africa]] where confined to parts of the North-West. Has bred on [[Malta]] and [[Cyprus]]. | Common and very widespread throughout the region. Breeds in the [[British Isles]] and mainland [[Europe]] from [[Iberia]] east to the [[Urals]] and [[Caspian]]. In the north breeds throughout [[Scandinavia]], except the extreme north coast and north to about 66° N in [[Russia]]. In the south breeds along north coast of Mediterranean and on the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]], and throughout most of [[Turkey]]. Breeds patchily in the [[Middle East]] and in North [[Africa]] where confined to parts of the North-West. Has bred on [[Malta]] and [[Cyprus]]. | ||
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Vagrant north to [[Iceland]] and [[Faroes]], west to [[Azores]], [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. | Vagrant north to [[Iceland]] and [[Faroes]], west to [[Azores]], [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:A00 1028 800w.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Brown Morph<br />Photo by {{user|AJDH|AJDH}}<br />Badaan Farm, [[Bahrain]], April 2008]] |
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
There are 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | There are 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
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:*Western [[China]] to northern [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Burma]], north-western [[Thailand]] and southern [[China]] | :*Western [[China]] to northern [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Burma]], north-western [[Thailand]] and southern [[China]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Cuckoo_flying_by_JimMorris.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Brown Morph<br />Photo by {{user|JimMorris|JimMorris}}<br />Extremadura, [[Spain]], May 2009]] |
A wide variety of habitats with trees and bushes including open woodland, moorland, forest edge and clearings, cultivated land and grassland, reedbeds and marshes. | A wide variety of habitats with trees and bushes including open woodland, moorland, forest edge and clearings, cultivated land and grassland, reedbeds and marshes. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
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''[[Media:Cuculus canorus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Cuculus canorus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | [[Image:Juvenile Cuckoo copy.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|nkgray|nkgray}}<br />Attadale, Ross and Cromarty, [[Scotland]], August 2008 ]] | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec10}}#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6 | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec10}}#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6 | ||
#BF Member observations | #BF Member observations | ||
Revision as of 04:17, 26 June 2017
Alternative name: Eurasian Cuckoo
- Cuculus canorus
Identification
Male:
- Bluish-grey upperparts, head and upper breast
- White belly with dark barring
- Yellow feet, iris and bill base
Female - two colour morphs
- Grey: similar to male but has a buffish tinge to upper chest
- Brown: rufous brown upperparts and breast
In both sexes, the underwing shows a pattern of pale, dark, white, dark from front to back, and the tail feathers show a pattern or white spots or bands.
Distribution
Common and very widespread throughout the region. Breeds in the British Isles and mainland Europe from Iberia east to the Urals and Caspian. In the north breeds throughout Scandinavia, except the extreme north coast and north to about 66° N in Russia. In the south breeds along north coast of Mediterranean and on the Balearics, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, and throughout most of Turkey. Breeds patchily in the Middle East and in North Africa where confined to parts of the North-West. Has bred on Malta and Cyprus.
Strictly migratory, leaving Europe in late-July to early September to winter in tropical Africa and returning mid-April to May although wintering in Europe has been recorded.
Vagrant north to Iceland and Faroes, west to Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[1]:
- C. c. bangsi: possibly shows distinctly rufous breast in female.
- Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands and north-western Africa; winters in Africa
- C. c. canorus:
- C. c. subtelephonus: is similar in size to nominate but has narrower bars below.
- C. c. bakeri:
Habitat
A wide variety of habitats with trees and bushes including open woodland, moorland, forest edge and clearings, cultivated land and grassland, reedbeds and marshes.
Behaviour
It is a bird of open land.
Movement
Sits horizontally on wires or exposed branches.
Direct flight, with wings coming below the horizontal
Diet
Its food is insects, with hairy caterpillars, which are distasteful to many birds, being a specialty.
Breeding
The female lays an egg which mimicks the eggs of the host species. The hatchling pushes the eggs and young of the host out of the nest.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Cuculus canorus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Common Cuckoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Common_Cuckoo
External Links
