How Cuckoo Birds Let Other Birds Raise Their Young

Read More About Hobbies

Across the world more than one hundred species of the cuckoo bird exists. Some experts estimate the number at over 125.

Cuckoo birds do very well in areas with temperate weather. But they love tropical areas as well. Within this country, these birds can be found mostly in the Florida and other southern states.

People are most acquainted with this bird species due to the many cuckoo clocks which abound homes all across the country. If you are wondering if the cuckoo sounds you hear on the cuckoo clocks are realistic, they match very closely to the sounds made by the European cuckoo - also known as Cuculus canorus.

If you have the misfortune to set up camp near a nest of cuckoo birds, you may not get much sleep. That is because cuckoos have a tendency to sing at night as well as throughout the day. And natives who have lived among cuckoos for a long time sometimes refer to them as rain crows. Because they have an uncanny habit of becoming more vocal than usual just prior to a rainstorm.

Cuckoo birds will lay their eggs in the nests of other birds with impunity leaving the other birds to raise their young. In the field, this conduct is known as brood parasitism in which a species allows their brood, or young, to basically become parasites and live off the endeavors of another family's work. The targeted bird species does not need to belong to the cuckoo species at all. Cuckoos have been known to lay their eggs in the nests of robins, cardinals, sparrows, as well as many other species.

More so than most other bird species, cuckoos like to have their nests close to the ground. In the majority of cases, you will find them nesting at a height around two feet above to eight feet above the ground. As far as diet, it is mainly insects but they especially like to dine on caterpillars. some species of cuckoos especially love the spiny types while other species don't like them at all. But all species love grasshoppers and crickets as well. If insects are not around they will gravitate towards fruits such as grapes and berries.

As their food source in one area disappears, they leave that place and go searching for greener pastures. As far as mating habits, cuckoo birds are mostly monogamous. During the courtship phase they love to feed each other. This helps the bonding process.

Within their area of comfort, cuckoo birds are largely nomadic. They base their mating structures on where their food happens to be. In other words, they have no special loyalty to a specific area as some birds do. They migrate with their food sources.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

To find additional information on garden bird feeders and bird houses for sale as well as other bird related articles, please visit our web site.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Hobbies Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Hobbies

Our other websites
All about SEO
Beauty Tips Forum

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Link Us
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Sitemap

New Stuff
About Us
Developer
Good shopping portal
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service