A symbol of spring with its unmistakable call, the cuckoo is one of our most intriguing birds.

From their truly unique (and brutal) breeding habits to their remarkable migrations, the life of a cuckoo is absolutely fascinating and steeped in folklore.

Join us as we step into their world of brood parasitism, how they trick another species to raise their young for them and mostly get away with it.

We discuss which bird species are more susceptible to becoming hosts and which ones have got wiser to having a rogue egg dropped on them. It's evolutionary warfare at its most captivating.

Unfortunately, our cuckoo populations are facing a variety of challenges as complex as themselves. As the climate changes, disrupting their routines, they are struggling.

But there is still hope. As we always try to do, we look at the brilliant projects being carried out to help these remarkable birds and hope they succeed in saving this iconic bird.

Spring without the sound of a cuckoo is unthinkable.

** And a little game, while you listen. Matthew made a slight, and rather funny, error in the episode. Can you spot it?

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

Cuckoo Bird Facts | Cuculus Canorus

Change in host rejection behavior mediated by the predatory behavior of its brood parasite | Behavioral Ecology | Oxford Academic

Cuckoo Tracking Project | BTO

Epic 7,500-mile cuckoo migration wows scientists - BBC News

A call for the cuckoo: how to help an endangered bird | Gardens | The Guardian

Population decline is linked to migration route in the Common Cuckoo, a long-distance nocturnally-migrating bird | BTO