Common cuckoo Common cuckoo The common cuckoo ("Cuculus canorus") is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, "Cuculiformes", which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals. This species is a widespread summer migrant to Europe and Asia, and winters in Africa. It is a brood parasite, which means it lays eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly of dunnocks, meadow pipits, and reed warblers. Although its eggs are larger than those of its hosts, the eggs in each type of host nest resemble the host's eggs. The adult too is a mimic, in its case of the sparrowhawk;
Plaintive cuckoo farmland, parks and gardens. It feeds on invertebrates. It is normally solitary and is often difficult to see. It is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of cisticolas, prinias and tailorbirds. The eggs are similar to those of the host species but are larger. Small birds often mob the cuckoo to drive it away from their nests. Plaintive cuckoo The plaintive cuckoo ("Cacomantis merulinus") is a species of bird belonging to the genus "Cacomantis" in the cuckoo family Cuculidae. It is native to Asia, from India and China to Indonesia. It is a fairly small cuckoo, 21-23.5