| Common cuckoo | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Cuculiformes |
| Family: | Cuculidae |
| Genus: | Cuculus |
| Species: | C. canorus
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| Binomial name | |
| Cuculus canorus | |
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| Range of Cuculus canorus Breeding Passage Non-breeding Possibly Extant (breeding)
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The cuckoo, common cuckoo, European cuckoo or Eurasian cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.
This species is a widespread summer migrant to Europe and Asia, and winters in Africa. It is a brood parasite, which means it lays eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly of dunnocks, meadow pipits, and reed warblers. Although its eggs are larger than those of its hosts, the eggs in each type of host nest resemble the host's eggs. The adult too is a mimic, in its case of the sparrowhawk; since that species is a predator, the mimicry gives the female time to lay her eggs without being attacked.
- ^ BirdLife International (2019) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Cuculus canorus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22683873A155496731. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22683873A155496731.en. Retrieved 12 March 2021.