Common Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

General information. The most distinguishing characteristics of the cuckoo are their species-specific call and brood parasitism – i.e. laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. It does not build a nest of its own, but rather leaves the raising of their young to other birds. The female cuckoo often lays its eggs in the nests of common redstarts, spotted flycatchers and warblers. During nesting season, the cuckoo can visit nests of 7 to12 passerines. However, sometimes the host discovers the foreign egg and abandons the nest.

• Length 33 cm
• Lays its eggs in the nests of other birds
• Winters in tropical Africa
• Feeds on insects and worms

Habitat. The cuckoo is a generic woodland species. It thrives in mixed type forests, pine-and spruce dominated forests, and even lush waterfront herb rich forests.

Distribution in Vaasa. During the nesting season from May to July, the cuckoo has been observed in approximately 63 survey blocks. It dwells primarily in the outskirts of the city, such as the Pilvilampi and Sundom area, appearing very rarely in the more densely built-up areas of the city centre. The cuckoo was also observed in a few survey blocks in the Gerby inner archipelago.