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Most birds spend hours, days, or even weeks building nests. Some birds build nests out of mud, while others build nests in trees. However, other birds that nest on the ground simply dig a simple hole. Meanwhile, some birds, such as the wren, build intricate domed nests from grasses and lichens. Birds build their nests during the breeding season to keep their eggs, and some may even make multiple nests. Nests must be carefully constructed to not only contain eggs but also protect them from predators. Several species prey on bird eggs, including snakes, foxes, rodents, and even other birds. However, there is a separate group of birds that follow a different route. These criminals steal other birds’ nests using cunning and brute force. Meet the common cuckoo; bird that steals nests.
The common cuckoo, due to its cunning behavior, is one of the most famous birds in the world. Given its unique form of brood parasitism, it deserves special attention to understand how these birds benefit from the labor of other birds. In this article, we will look at the taxonomy, distribution, physical characteristics, diet, nest stealing behavior, chick behavior, and the ecological and cultural significance of this cuckoo. We’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions about the nest-stealing cuckoo bird.
Taxonomy
The common cuckoo belongs to the family of cuckoos Cuculidae. This family also includes roadrunners, doyel, kua, kua, anise and malkoha. In Latin, the common name of the cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, translates as “melodic cuckoo”. This alludes to the unique vocalizations of the male common cuckoo, which sound like “cuckoo” onomatopoeia. In addition, the word “cuckoo” also comes from the French word grandson which dates back to nearly 800 years of poetry and songwriting. Today, scientists distinguish four different subspecies of the common cuckoo. When most people think of the common cuckoo, they usually think of the supposed subspecies, C. c. melodic. However, the other three subspecies include C. c. bakeri, C. c. bangs and CC. sub-phone…
Distribution
Common cuckoos spend spring and summer in Europe and Asia, and winter in Africa. However, the distribution of the common cuckoo varies by subspecies. In summer, the cuckoo is commonly found throughout the UK., Ireland, Spain, Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, China, Korea, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Mongolia, India, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand. Meanwhile, in winter, common cuckoos spend their time in sub-Saharan Africa, southern India, Myanmar and Thailand. Their preferred habitats include open areas with sparse tree cover, including fields, shrubs, parks and marshes. Overall, the global population trend for the common cuckoo is declining, with a total population of less than 100 million. However, given its widespread distribution, IUCN still classifies it as a Least Concern species.
physical characteristics
On average, common cuckoos are about 13 inches long with a wingspan of 22 to 24 inches. They have a long, slender body and tail, although their legs seem rather short in comparison. Their plumage is predominantly gray, although some cuckoos are reddish in color, especially at a young age, but sometimes also in adulthood. Meanwhile, their lower part is covered with alternating dark and light stripes. In addition, a yellow ring surrounds each of their eyes. People often mistake the common cuckoo for the sparrowhawk. In fact, other birds often make the same mistake. This can cause the birds to leave their nests when the common cuckoo appears, which helps the female cuckoo to lay eggs calmly.
Diet
Cuckoos are diurnal, which means they feed during the day and sleep at night. As insectivores, their diet is mostly insects. They will eat a wide variety of insects, including beetles, insect larvae, crickets, and dragonflies. In particular, they love to eat hairy caterpillars, which many other bird species avoid due to their unappetizing taste. Sometimes, common cuckoos also eat eggs and chicks instead of other birds. While feeding, common cuckoos usually feed on the ground and run or jump after their prey. Once they catch a caterpillar, they can shake or hit it on a tree to remove the thorns. However, they will also simply swallow the caterpillar whole without first removing the spikes.
Nest theft behavior
The common cuckoo is a brood parasite, that is, it lays eggs in the nests of other birds. As a result, the typical female cuckoo does not build its own nest, but instead relies on other birds to raise its chicks. During the breeding season, the female cuckoo lays eggs in 50 different nests. Scientists currently know of nearly 300 different species that common cuckoos are targeting as possible hosts for their eggs. While some females target a wide variety of species, others target a small number of host species. Female cuckoos tend to target the nearest nests and often wait for their hosts to leave their nests unattended. They will incubate their eggs inside their body throughout the day before laying their eggs in another bird’s nest. This ensures that the common cuckoo hatches first and can monopolize the food and attention of the host.
Chicken behavior
After hatching, the nestling of the common cuckoo pushes eggs or live juveniles of the host bird out of the nest. This usually succeeds because the cuckoo chick hatches earlier than the host’s cub. In the event that the host’s chicks hatch first, the larger and stronger cuckoo chick forcibly drives the host’s cubs out of the nest. The conventional wisdom is that cuckoo chi
ck
s evict the host’s chicks to monopolize food and attention. Cuckoo chicks require a significant amount of food and do not feel well if they have to share food resources.
Ecological and cultural significance
Scientists consider the presence of cuckoos and cuckoos in general as a good indicator of biodiversity in bird communities. The more hosts the cuckoo hunts, the greater the biodiversity in that area. In addition, this nest-stealing bird also plays an important cultural role in many regions. Common cuckoos appear in legends and songs, as well as in books and plays. In Europe, hearing the cry of a cuckoo is a sign that spring is fast approaching. Also term cuckoo which means “crazy” or “stupid” comes from the cuckoo.
Frequently asked questions about common cuckoos
What animals hunt common cuckoos?
A number of species prey on common cuckoos. Predators include falcons and hawks such as the red-shouldered hawk and the sparrowhawk.
How long do common cuckoos live?
According to records, the oldest known cuckoo lived to be 6 years and 11 months old. However, most cuckoos don’t live that long in the wild.
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