Eurasian Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

Other Names

  European Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo   Coucou gris   Kuckuck   Cuco Común   Gök   Koekoek   Cuculo

World: Occurs across most of the Palearctic, wintering in Africa (mainly S of the Equator), the Indian subcontinent and S and SE Asia.

Kenya: Passage migrant found below 2000m mostly in the S and Central regions. Missing from the W despite the suitably habitat. More numerous in March and April than in the Autumn passge.

Those Europeans who are familiar with the call of the Eurasian Cuckoo may be disappointed to know that this is never heard in East Africa! This is a bird of forest, woodland and bushy scrub. Its diet consists of caterpillars as well as other insects, spiders, molluscs. It also takes nestlings and eggs of small birds. This is a true brood-parasite which is highly adaptable. It is known to parasitise over 100 species of insectivorous songbirds ranging from warblers to pipits to buntings.

Although Eurasian Cuckoos are mainly shy and solitary, on passage they may be seen in flocks of 10 or more. The bird pictured above is a rufous morph female of the nominate race and was one of a small flock of about 8 birds seen at Lake Baringo in October 2003. Later in the day an even larger flock of some 15-20 birds was seen at Lake Bogoria.