The cuckoo
cuculus canorus
This migratory bird takes its name from the male's distinctive call. The cuckoo spends the winter in Africa south of the equator, returning to our region in mid-April to early May.
The female lays most of her eggs in the nests of other bird species (usually only one per nest). These eggs are slightly larger than those of the host birds, but the female cuckoo is able to imitate the colour and pattern of the host eggs, which are then incubated. This way, the host bird unknowingly takes over the entire rearing of the chick for the cuckoo parents.
The cuckoo feeds almost exclusively on insects, but sometimes also on worms, snails or young frogs.
The female lays most of her eggs in the nests of other bird species (usually only one per nest). These eggs are slightly larger than those of the host birds, but the female cuckoo is able to imitate the colour and pattern of the host eggs, which are then incubated. This way, the host bird unknowingly takes over the entire rearing of the chick for the cuckoo parents.
The cuckoo feeds almost exclusively on insects, but sometimes also on worms, snails or young frogs.