Slik identifiserer du Common Cuckoo

For å identifisere Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) korrekt, sjekk hvert av disse trekkene. Fugler kan være vanskelige: atferd, habitat og kall bekrefter ofte det et enkelt bilde ikke kan.

Størrelse på et blunk

Lengde

32-34 cm

Vingespenn

55-60 cm

Vekt

105-130 g (male), 115-155 g (female)

Fysiske trekk å sjekke

1. 1

   Fjærdrakt

   Generell fjærdraktsfarge og mønster.

   Adult males typically have a grey head, neck, and upperparts, with a white belly barred with dark grey. The undertail coverts are white. Adult females can be similar to males (grey morph) or have a rufous-brown plumage with dark barring on the upperparts and underparts (hepatic morph). Both sexes have dark grey flight feathers and a long, dark grey tail with white spots on the outer feathers.

2. 2

   Nebbform

   Nebbets form og farge: et viktig felttegn.

   Relatively slender, slightly downcurved, dark grey to blackish, with a yellowish base to the lower mandible.

3. 3

   Øyenfarge

   Irisfarge og karakteristiske tegninger rundt øyet.

   Bright yellow in adults, brownish in juveniles.

4. 4

   Beinfarge

   Farge på bein og føtter.

   Yellowish-orange

5. 5

   Særtrekk

   Iøynefallende trekk som skiller denne arten.

   Long, pointed wings, long tail, and a distinctive hawk-like silhouette in flight. The barred underparts and grey upperparts are key. The hepatic morph female is unmistakable.

6. 6

   Ungfuglutseende

   Hvordan ungfugler skiller seg fra voksne.

   Juveniles are heavily barred brown and rufous on the upperparts, with a white nape patch and white-tipped feathers, giving a scaly appearance. The underparts are whitish with fine dark barring. The eyes are brownish, and the gape is yellow.

7. 7

   Sesongendringer

   Fjærdraktsvariasjon mellom hekke- og ikke-hekkeperiode.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes in adults, as they undergo a complete post-breeding moult before migration.

8. 8

   Kjønnsdimorfisme

   Forskjeller mellom hanner og hunner.

   Males and grey morph females are very similar in plumage, though females may have a slight rufous wash on the breast. Hepatic morph females are distinctly different, being rufous-brown with heavy barring. Females are generally slightly larger and heavier than males.

Viktige felttegn

• Call. The most reliable identification feature is the male's distinctive 'cuck-oo' call. The female's bubbling call is also unique.
• Flight and Silhouette. Observe its flight pattern: direct, strong, and hawk-like with rapid wing beats and occasional glides. Note the long, pointed wings and long tail. In flight, it often holds its wings slightly below the horizontal.
• Plumage (Adult Male/Grey Morph Female). Look for grey upperparts, head, and breast, contrasting with white underparts barred with dark grey. The tail is dark with white spots on the outer feathers.
• Plumage (Hepatic Morph Female). If present, this morph is unmistakable: rufous-brown upperparts and underparts, heavily barred with dark brown/black.
• Juvenile Plumage. Young birds are heavily barred brown and rufous, with a distinctive white nape patch and scaly appearance on the back.
• Behavior. Its secretive nature and tendency to perch upright on exposed branches are characteristic. Listen for the calls of potential host species, as cuckoos are often found in their vicinity.

Utforsk Common Cuckoo