Great Spotted Cuckoo
Clamator glandarius
Woodland. Black above, spotted white; white below; grey crested head.
Cuckoos
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common summer resident. A large cuckoo, distinguished by crested grey head, white-spotted upper parts and creamy-white underparts. Immature similar but the cap is black, crest less pronounced and the primary feathers chestnut-brown. The common call is a rasping, rapid ‘keeow keeow keeow keeow…’ repeated in phrases of about eight. Occurs in woodland and savanna. Parasitises crows and starlings.
Quick Facts
Size
38-40 cm - M
Names
A: Gevlekte Koekoek
Z: unozalashiyombala
Ss: Lekeokiri La Mmetsosehla
G: Häherkuckuck
Bird Family
Cuckoos are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, and the majority are absent from southern Africa during the period March-September. The related coucals are larger, more robust and mainly sedentary birds that build their own nests and rear young in the conventional manner.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs in woodland and 'savanna'.
