Common Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

© 2025
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2 recent observations

Brief #

Slate-grey, barred underparts. Yellow iris, orbital ring, base-of-bill and feet.

Synonyms #

  • Cuco comĂșn (Spanish)
  • Cuco (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Common Cuckoo is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

All adult males are slate-grey; the grey throat extends well down the bird's breast with a sharp demarcation to the barred underparts. The iris, orbital ring, the base of the bill and feet are yellow. Grey adult females have a pinkish-buff or buff background to the barring and neck sides, and sometimes small rufous spots on the median and greater coverts and the outer webs of the secondary feathers. The most obvious identification features of juvenile common cuckoos are the white nape patch and white feather fringes.

Measurements #

Length: 32 - 34 cm
Wingspan: 55 - 60 cm
Weight: 110 - 130 g

Similar species #