The Cuculidae represents the most diverse family of birds in the universe. This includes the parasitic ones that lay their eggs in the nests of fellow birds and as seen from the Old World Cuckoo and also the Guira Cuckoo that is found in South America which feeds on the ground and is very large. Also, there are cagey beasts that make gurgling sounds famously referred to as ‘waterbottle’ sound that ring far and beyond the continent.
The large number of birds in this family provides for great biodiversity- a fact which continues to lend credence to ornithologists’ view that the many members of this family should be further separated into at least four or even six different families. How these groups of bird relate to one another is still a matter that is shrouded in uncertainty. But for the time being, we have to consider them as belonging to one family with seven different subgroups.
Physical characteristics
Most of the bird species found in this family are of small to medium sizes and vary in length from 14 to 37 cm weighing between 6 to 180 grams. Some of these species are of very bright colors such as minivet, while others are dull in color- a fact that serves to cushion them from predators. For the purpose of protection, the females are less colorful than the males. They have pointed wings with tails that are fairly long.
Habitat
Most of the cuckoo species most live on trees. Majority of the 74 species of this family reside in the canopies of tall trees or in the upper layers of forest. Their breeding, feeding and nesting places are much varied although all of these places have trees as a common factor. They can live in swampy places, humid or even dry forests, savannahs, scrubland or woodlands. Some birds prefer homes that are further inside the forest while others will just settle for homes at the edge of the forest. Others also are to be found in re-grown forests, among coastal vegetation or in suburban areas.
Behavior and reproduction of cuckoo
A good number of species making this family are attracted to one mating partner and more often than not, have permanent territorial residence. Although not much is known about the breeding patterns of these birds, it has been observed that, aside from a few species like triller and ground cuckoo-shrieks, majority of these species breed during or just past the wet season and are known to mate singly. As is the case with most birds, the female birds lay eggs which range from 1 to 5 but the average is normally 3. Not all the males in this species help their female colleagues to incubate, during which time the birds sit on the eggs for a period of 14 to 25 days and most of the time is the role of the females.
The young ones are taken care of by both parents and they leave the nest after fourteen days.
