Size: Pigeon-sized (L32‒36cm)
Life expectancy: 8‒12 years
Distribution: 15 000‒20 000 pairs
Breeding: The female usually lays her eggs in the nest of the bird where she was hatched. She lays her egg when the hostess of the nest has already laid its eggs. Common Cuckoos lay only one egg per nest. So if two eggs are found in the nest, it is believed that another cuckoo lives in that area. The incubation period is 11‒13 days. During the season, cuckoos lay 8 to 12 eggs. Interestingly, artificially inseminated cuckoos for research laid up to 25 eggs. Common Cuckoos are able to lay eggs that are even color-matched to certain species, such as the meadow pipit, the little Eurasian reed warbler, the great reed warbler or the garden warbler. If there are two cuckoo chicks in the nest, they compete and the weaker bird is pushed out of the nest. Common Cuckoo chicks leave the nest after 20‒23 days. After flying out of the nest, they feed on food brought to their young by other birds.
Appearance: It has a spotted chest and grey back, long rounded tail, yellow eyes with yellow rim, yellow legs.