#chrysococcyx caprius

^Image credit: Derek Keats

Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)

Diedericks-Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx caprius

The Diderick-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius (Cuculiformes - Cuculidae), is common in large areas of southern Africa, and lives in wide variety of habitats. This beautiful bird is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in other birds nests, about 1 per nest but 22-24 can be laid in the whole breeding season. It destroys any eggs that the host has laid before laying its own, after which it leaves and is often mobbed by the host.

Within the first three days of hatching, the cuckoo chick eats any the other eggs or chicks that weren't in the nest at the time of laying. It stays in the nest for about 19-22 days, and out of the nest, the chick remains with its adopted parents for about 21 more days.

Reference: [1]

Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)

Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa

IUCN Status: Least Concern

{ Ecology } { Vocalizations } { eBird }

Dideric Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)

is a species of cuckoo native to Africa south of the Sahara, but it has been recorded north. Like most Cuckoos this species is a brood parasite and will lay its egg in the nests of other birds, mostly in the nests of weavers and bishops. The baby cuckoo will either kill or out-compete the other birds to ensure its survival. They get the name dideric due to their loud call which sounds like deed-er-ick.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Aves-Cuculiformes-Cuculidae-Chrysococcyx-caprius