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;
The Cuckoo (song) five verses starting with a "Come all ye" warning about courting sailors and with the cuckoo appearing in the second verse. The Roud Folk Song Index lists about 149 collected or recorded versions performed by traditional singers - 49 from England, 4 from Scotland, 2 from Ireland, 4 from Canada and 88 from the USA. At least one collected version was published in the "Folk Songs from the Kentucky Mountains" (1917). The first recording was made by Kelly Harrell for Victor in 1926. Notable artists who have recorded "The Cuckoo" include: The Cuckoo (song) "The Cuckoo" (Roud 413) is a