Common Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

(C. c. canorus)

Armenian Name:	Սովորական կկու

See Plate 34 for Common Cuckoo and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Common
Length:	32-34 cm, Wing Span:55-60 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 179.
Description:	Long-tailed, narrow-winged bird.
Adult:	Uniform gray upperparts and breast contrast with dark-barred white belly. Females also occur in an uncommon red-brown phase.
Juvenile:	Similar to adult but has whitish feather edges on back and wings.
Behavior:	Flight is straight; wings are not raised above the body. Gives a repeated two-note whistle.
Habitat:	Grasslands, shrubs, forests, reedbeds.
Food:	Insects, especially hairy caterpillars.
Nest:	Brood parasite; lays eggs in nests of other species.
Eggs:	23 mm, matches host eggs; in Armenia, parasitizes Grey Wagtail, Black Redstart, Ortolan Bunting, Greater Whitethroat, and Eurasian Reed-Warbler.