Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameCuculus canorus FamilyCuckoos (Cuculidae) OverviewThe cuckoo is a dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white under parts. With their sleek body, long tail and pointed wings they are not unlike kestrels or sparrowhawks. Sexes are similar and the young are brown. They are summer visitors and well-known brood parasites, the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially meadow pipits, dunnocks and reed warblers. Their recent population decline makes this a Red List species. Where to see themCuckoos can be seen throughout the UK, but are especially numerous in southern and central England. When to see themAdults arrive in late March or April and depart in July or August, with young birds leaving a month or so later. What they eatInsects, especially hairy caterpillars. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 9,600-20,000 pairs | - | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
- In the UK
- UK wide
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out more
Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |