Adult female - a brood parasite that targets bishops and sparrows. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult female - susprisingly easy to find for a cuckoo, often perched openly. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Diederik Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx caprius- Habitat: Woodland, savanna, grassland and gardens.
- Diet: A wide range of insects with a strong preference for caterpillars.
- Status: Common intra-african breeding migrant.
- Calls: Song A high pitched and piercing di-di-di-diederik Alarm call faster versions of the main song
- Similar looking: Klaas's Cuckoo with both male and female needing careful observation not to confuse. Malar stripe separates from all pluamges of Klass's cuckoo as well as female African Emerald cuckoo.
- Similar sounding: None
Fun facts
Like all other cuckoos it is a brood parasite mainly targeting bishops and sparrows.
ID pitfalls
Male and female Klaas's Cuckoo offer some challenges but facial patterns differ.
Where to find one
Common throughout its range where it is easily picked up while calling.