Chrysococcyx caprius
The Cuckoos are a family of birds notorious for their excellent hiding skills, and most of them are seldomly seen in the open (and even more difficult to photograph!) despite their often well-known calls attracting the attention of bird-watchers like ourselves. One notable exception to this frustrating trait is the Diederik Cuckoo, which is not averse to showing off its beautifully metallic green and copper plumage together with its giveaway “dee-dee-dee-dee-diederik” call (Diederik being a traditional masculine Afrikaans name).
The “Diederikkie” occurs over virtually the entire African continent south of the Sahara and in parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and it is only in the driest north-westernmost reaches of our country where you’re unlikely to hear them calling in our summer. A handful even stay here right through winter, though the majority departs northwards to central Africa at the start of autumn and then return with the onset of spring. The IUCN classifies the Diederik Cuckoo as being of least concern.
Diederik Cuckoos are usually seen singly or in pairs, and are not very picky about their habitat, though they do seem to prefer the more wooded areas even in otherwise open biomes like grasslands and the Karoo. They are also commonly encountered in suburban parks and gardens and feed almost exclusively on invertebrates, being especially fond of caterpillars, and thus great friends to the gardener.
The Diederik Cuckoo is a brood parasite, with females laying a single egg at a time (as many as 24 in a summer breeding season) in the nests of a wide variety of other birds (two dozen species recorded, with wagtails, weavers and sparrows being especially targeted) after getting rid of any eggs the host birds may already have laid. Shortly after hatching the Diederik chick will then dispatch any other eggs or chicks in the nest so that it can hog all the adoptive parents’ attention. The chick fledges about 3 weeks after hatching and stays with its foster parents for around 3 weeks more afterwards. Fully grown, Diederik Cuckoos measure 19cm in length and weigh around 30g.
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What a cool call! I like its green coloring on its back
Their call is definitely one of our summer hits!
Such an interesting and handsome bird. Your header photo is particularly striking.
Thank you very much, Carol! I must say I was very pleased when I saw that picture for the first time too.
Very cool looking bird!
Their looks and call really make for a most attractive bird, Kathy. One can even forgive their parasitic ways.
Ja jong die stouterd.
Het ou Diederikkie jou gekoggel, Ineke?
Baie kere in my boslopery. Hier nog nie regtig so opgemerk nie. Hul is beslis hier.
Of miskien n naby familielid?
Baie naby familie in elke geval. Ek sien vanoggend die Magpies jaag mekaar. Hou niks van hulle nie. Hierdie jaar is eerste keer dat daar n paartjie hier ingetrek het in die omgewing.
Klink asof hulle nogal uitmergelend kan wees?
Hul is vir my soos n kraai en daardie sterk bek is nie speletjies nie om mee gepik te word nie. Hul duik op mense af ook.
Ek onthou jy het my vertel wat n pes hulle kan wees!
Presies!
The cuckoo in Sweden legg in others nest. in other birds’ nest! Does it do the same in South Africa?
They do, John – this particular species lays its eggs in the nests of 24 other bird species and the chicks are then raised by those foster parents.
Aha ek het jou blogs gemis… interessant dankie!
Ons is baie bly dat jy weer kom inloer het, Tina!
One shouldn’t, but I feel a degree of envy at your variety of photographs. At least one Diederik Cuckoo makes its presence known in the garden for months every year – and I do not have a single photograph, even though I have seen them among the foliage and even out in the open (when I had no camera at hand – of course!). You have a great selection here.
Thanks very much, Anne, and now I don’t need to feel quite as guilty for all the times I went green at the sight of the wild and exotic visitors to your garden!
What a good looking bird, Dries. Great photos and info.
Very kind of you to say, thank you Sylvia!
It looks very much like our mockingbird but it’s not a brood parasite bird. This cuckoo is a handsome bird. Good post, D. Thank you. 🙂
Thanks for the kind feedback, H.J!