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Cuckoos

Cuckoos are medium-sized, slender birds that are part of the Cuculidae family and are known for their distinct calls. This diverse family includes various species such as the common cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, and anis, with some members possibly constituting their own separate families. These birds have a global presence, though they are predominantly found in tropical regions and exhibit a mixture of sedentary and migratory behaviors. Cuckoos have varied diets that can include insects, larvae, fruit, and other small animals. A prominent feature among cuckoos is brood parasitism, practiced by some species, where they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the host species to raise their offspring. The practice has influenced their cultural significance throughout human history, appearing in myths and symbolizing diverse concepts from springtime to unrequited love across different cultures. Physically, cuckoos range from very small to relatively large, with some species demonstrating zygodactyl feet (two toes pointing forward and two backward) and long tails that aid in flight. They exhibit varying levels of sexual dimorphism and have adapted different wing shapes and styles to suit their arboreal or terrestrial lifestyles. Cuckoos are mostly solitary and their breeding strategies vary from communal nesting to solitary brood parasitism. Their secretive nature is often contrasted by the conspicuous nature of their calls, which is essential for communication within the species. Despite the general disadvantage of parasitism to host species, there are complex ecological interactions that sometimes lead to mutual benefits. The evolutionary history and fossil record of cuckoos are not well understood, but they have been grouped with turacos and bustards into a higher clade named Otidimorphae. With over 150 species divided into roughly 33 genera, cuckoos continue to captivate ornithologists and bird enthusiasts worldwide.

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Cuckoos

Cuckooshrikes
Cupwings
Dippers
Drongos
Ducks, Geese, Swans
Elachura
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Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches
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Tits, Chickadees
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Treeswifts
Trogons
Tropicbirds
Typical Broadbills
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Vireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblers
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Wallcreeper
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Whistlers & Allies
White-eyes
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Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies
Wrens
Jayshrike

Pheasant Coucal

Centropus phasianinus

Philippine Coucal

Centropus viridis

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo

Surniculus velutinus

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx pectoralis
A photo of a Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) , male

Plaintive Cuckoo

Cacomantis merulinus

Raffles's Malkoha

Rhinortha chlorophaea

Red-billed Malkoha

Zanclostomus javanicus

Rough-crested Malkoha

Dasylophus superciliosus

Rufous Coucal

Centropus unirufus

Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx hyperythrus

Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx ruficollis

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Cacomantis sepulcralis

Scale-feathered Malkoha

Dasylophus cumingi
A photo of a Shining Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus)

Shining Bronze Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx lucidus

Short-toed Coucal

Centropus rectunguis
A photo of a Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris)

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo

Surniculus lugubris

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Cuculus crassirostris

Sumatran Ground Cuckoo

Carpococcyx viridis

Sunda Coucal

Centropus nigrorufus

Sunda Cuckoo

Cuculus lepidus
A photo of a Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) , male

Violet Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

White-crowned Cuckoo

Cacomantis leucolophus

White-eared Bronze Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx meyerii

Yellow-billed Malkoha

Rhamphococcyx calyorhynchus
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Species Categories

AccentorsAfrican & Green BroadbillsAlbatrossesAlcippe FulvettasAnhingas, DartersAsian BarbetsAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian BabblersAustralasian RobinsAustralasian WarblersAustralasian WrensAustralo-Papuan BellbirdsBabblers, Scimitar BabblersBarn OwlsBee-eatersBirds-of-paradiseBoatbillsBristleheadBulbulsBuntingsBushtitsBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCassowaries, EmuCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCockatoosCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrab-ploverCranesCrombecs, African WarblersCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesCupwingsDippersDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansElachuraFairy FlycatchersFairy-bluebirdsFantailsFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFlowerpeckersFlufftailsFrigatebirdsFrogmouthsGannets, BoobiesGoldcrests, KingletsGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGround BabblersGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoneyeatersHoneyguidesHoopoesHornbillsHylocitreaIbisbillIbises, SpoonbillsIfritIndigobirds, WhydahsIorasJacanasJewel-babblers, Quail-thrushesKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLeafbirdsLongspurs, Snow BuntingsMagpie GooseMegapodesMelampittasMonarchsMottled BerryhunterNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsNuthatchesOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOspreysOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesParrotbills & AlliesPelicansPenduline TitsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloughbillPloversRail-babblerRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSittellasSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTreeswiftsTrogonsTropicbirdsTypical BroadbillsVangas & AlliesVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWallcreeperWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWaxwingsWeavers, WidowbirdsWhipbirdsWhistlers & AlliesWhite-eyesWoodpeckersWoodswallows, Butcherbirds & AlliesWrensJayshrike

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