The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis bird and the coucals.
The etymology of its name comes from ancient Greek but its roots are Sanskrit. In all countries, the first syllable of its name comes from the imitation of the sound it produces. The first reference of cuckoo is made by Aristophanes, but a detailed explanation of his behavior was made by the English doctor Edward Jenner.
In Italy, This species is a widespread summer migrant while it 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 Eurasian reed warblers.
Common cuckoos in their first autumn have variable plumage. Some are light blue in the superior part and brighter with stripes in the inferior, while others are plain grey. Females and juveniles have a rufous color morph.
The arrival of this bird is a signal of the beginning of spring (usually in April) and when there is a delay, there is a general worry in agriculture. Many local legends and traditions are based on this and its song is considered to indicate the good from the bad destiny. Finally, this species is the inspiration for the famous cuckoo clock that imitate its call.
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Mario Spagnesi, Lorenzo Serra - Uccelli d'Italia - Ministero dell'ambiente e della tutela del territorio, Direzione conservazione della natura, 2003
BirdLife International 2008. Cuculus canorus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Versione 2010.1