Wildlifeof Thailand
Common Cuckoo
Cuculidae
Photo: Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan · CC BY-SA 2.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Cuculus canorus
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, especially caterpillars
Habitat
Woodland, wetlands and open country
Range
Europe and Asia; winters in Africa and southern Asia
Size
32–34cm
Wingspan
55–60cm
The common cuckoo is a slender grey bird with pointed wings, barred underparts and a long tail; a rufous form also occurs. Its familiar two-note call is given by males. It breeds widely across Europe and Asia and migrates to Africa and southern Asia. Females specialize on particular host species, laying mimic eggs in their nests, while adults feed mainly on insects and caterpillars (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Common Cuckoo eat?
- Insects, especially caterpillars
- What habitat does the Common Cuckoo live in?
- Woodland, wetlands and open country
- Where is the Common Cuckoo found?
- Europe and Asia; winters in Africa and southern Asia
- How big is the Common Cuckoo?
- 32–34cm
- What is the wingspan of the Common Cuckoo?
- 55–60cm