Common Cuckoo

Lifespan: 8-12 years

Breeding: A female cuckoo usually lays her eggs in the nest of the bird in which she was hatched. Common Cuckoos lay only one egg per nest when the eggs of the actual nest owner are already present there. The incubation period lasts 11-13 days. During the season, Common Cuckoos lay 8 to 12 eggs. They are able to lay eggs that are adapted in colour to the eggs of certain species, such as the Meadow Pipit, the Eurasian Reed Warbler, the Great Reed Warble or the Garden Warbler. In the event that two cuckoo fledglings find themselves in the same nest, they compete and the weaker one is pushed out of the nest. The fledglings leave the nest in 20-23 days, following which they feed further on food that other birds usually bring to their young.

Appearance: Barred chest and grey back, long rounded tail, yellow eyes with yellow rim, and yellow legs.