The cuckoo is a bird that, whenever it is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the sound of cuckoo in spring. This is a sound that almost everyone hears in spring, whether they live in the city or in the village. If there are some trees near their residence, this bird must circle among these trees, and its sound is so beautiful and loud that everyone can hear it. What is important to understand is that these birds are not only famous for their voices but also for their beauty, variety, and other calls they make. Let us talk about five of them in our blog that are the most famous in the world.
Table of Contents
Common cuckoo
The common cuckoo is the most famous species of all the birds found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is also famous for its migration from Africa to Europe and Asia. It is also called the bird of the spring arrival. This is the bird that first announces the arrival of spring with its calls in spring.
You will be very surprised to know that this bird is also famous for not building its own nest, in addition to its call. The common cuckoo mostly lays eggs in the nests of other birds and then leaves these eggs at the mercy of the birds in whose nests they lay their eggs. What is even more surprising is that when their young hatch, the first thing they do is knock the eggs of other birds down from the nests. Their resemblance to the cuckoo is very similar, which is why other birds consider them as their own chicks and continue to raise them until they become young.
Asian Koel
The Asian koel is one of the birds found in Asia, which is famous throughout Asia for its melodious voice. Its voice can be heard in the early morning or afternoon in the spring. Apart from their melodious voice, these birds are very beautiful. The male of the Asian cuckoo is found in shiny black with red eyes, while the female of the Asian cuckoo is found in brown color and spotted feathers.
Like other cuckoos, the Asian koel also lays its eggs in crows’ nests, where the crows incubate their eggs and also raise the chicks after they hatch. In Asia, if people want to praise someone’s melodious voice, they say that they have such a nice voice, just like a koel bird.
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Great spotted cuckoos are found in parts of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. They have a beautiful spotted plumage on their heads and a long crest. Like other cuckoos, they lay eggs in the nests of other birds. However, one special thing about them is that instead of laying eggs in every nest, they lay eggs in a special type of nest called a magpie nest. In addition, the young that hatch from their eggs do not throw the eggs of other birds out of the nest like other cuckoos, but wait for them to hatch and grow up with them.
Channel-billed cuckoos
The Channel-billed is mainly found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia. It is the largest of the cuckoos, with a wingspan of up to one meter. It is also called the stormbird because it has often been seen making loud noises before summer storms. As for its diet, it eats fruit, and sometimes it has been seen targeting the nests of crows and other birds. Apart from that, it is a very shy bird and likes to stay away from people’s eyes.
Pheasant Coucal
The pheasant coucal is native to Australia and Southeast Asia. Unlike other cuckoos, it builds its own nest and raises its own chicks. In terms of appearance, it closely resembles that of a game birds(pheasant). It has a long tail and brown body color. They stay in the same pair their whole lives and are always ready to protect their children. These are the qualities that make us say that not every species of cuckoo is a cheater.
Final Thoughts
After learning about the different species of cuckoos, we are becoming more curious about how the cuckoo knows that the bird in whose nest we are going to lay eggs is also going to lay eggs. Moreover, what naturally compels its young to throw the eggs of other birds down from the nests? If someone goes out to search for these things, it will help them uncover the amazing secrets of nature.
FAQS
Q.1 Why is the cuckoo called a brood parasite?
Ans. They are called brood parasites because most of their species lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and rely on them to raise their chicks.
Q.2 Do all of the cuckoo species leave their young at the mercy of other birds?
Ans. No, not all, but most of its species leave their young at the mercy of other birds.
Q.3 What do cuckoos eat?
Ans. They eat insects and fruit.
Q.4 Why are Cuckoos famous in folk tales?
Ans. They are famous among people for their beautiful voices, which they make at the arrival of spring, and for their unique behavior.
