CUCKOO

The cuckoo is a group of birds that belongs to the order Cuculiformes. Bangladesh is home to 20 species of cuckoos, 14 of which are residents and 6 are migratory. These birds are recognizable by their slender bodies, slightly curved bills, long tails, and elongated pointed wings, with two toes pointing forwards and two backwards on each foot.

Male cuckoos are often glossy black with a yellowish-green bill and crimson eyes, while females are dark brown with white spots and bars. These birds feed on a variety of fruits and insects, including caterpillars.

Cuckoos typically live in trees and some species are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and when the host is away, they remove one of the host’s eggs and replace it with their own. The young cuckoo hatches quickly, usually in about 12 days, and it quickly eliminates its nest mates by pushing them out of the nest. As a result, the young cuckoo receives all the food and care from its foster parents.