{"id":9341,"date":"2021-08-24T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T07:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9341"},"modified":"2021-09-02T10:33:53","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T10:33:53","slug":"when-do-cuckoos-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/when-do-cuckoos-call\/","title":{"rendered":"When Do Cuckoos Call?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cuckoo\u2019s song is beautiful and easily recognizable; in fact, in many places throughout the world, this flute-like call is a sure sign that warmer weather has arrived. If you\u2019ve never heard this birdsong, you may be wondering, when do cuckoos call? What time of year are you most likely to hear them, and what does it mean when you do hear the song? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When and Where Do Cuckoos Sing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"when<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos<\/a> are perhaps most well-known for the distinctive \u201ccuckoo, cuckoo\u201d<\/em> birdsong for which they are named. But just because there are cuckoos living in your area<\/a>, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019ll hear them singing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos sing primarily during the breeding season, which begins in late spring and lasts through the summer months. <\/strong>But, since cuckoos are migratory birds, they may or may not breed while staying in a particular region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the common cuckoo spends the breeding season in Europe, where its song is a well-known cadence during the late spring and summer before the bird returns to Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds<\/a>, the common cuckoo has never been heard to sing in Africa despite spending up to 9 months a year there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t mean cuckoos don\u2019t make any sound during the \u201coff-season,\u201d <\/em>as they sometimes make squawking or cawing noises. But the highly familiar \u201ccuckoo\u201d<\/em> song occurs most frequently during the breeding season, and the other sounds they make are not as easily recognizable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we explained here<\/a>, around 40% of cuckoos are considered brood parasites with no direct contact with their “biological”<\/em> parents. This implies that large part of their behavior, including the cuckoo\u2019s call, is innate rather than learnt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Season Do Cuckoos Sing the Most?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos are most often heard singing in the spring and summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in the U.K., you will probably hear the most cuckoo songs between late April and late June. If you live in the U.S., depending on your region, you may hear cuckoos singing anytime between March and July.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other parts of the world, spring and summer may come at different times, but this is still the most common season to hear the cuckoo\u2019s song. In spring and summer, conditions are ideal for breeding, and the distinctive birdsong is part of the cuckoo\u2019s mating ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it too Early to Hear a Cuckoo?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of your region, you probably won\u2019t hear cuckoos singing before late spring, when the weather is consistently mild to warm. If you live in areas closer to the equator, you may notice the birdsong earlier or more frequently because the breeding season may be longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t hear cuckoos in your region, it may be too early for them.<\/strong> If it\u2019s winter, no matter where you are in the world, you\u2019re unlikely to hear a cuckoo because it isn\u2019t the breeding season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a cooler region, it\u2019s likely that the local cuckoos migrate to a warmer area during the winter. In that case, you will not hear them singing until they have migrated back to your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re observant and listen to the cuckoos regularly, you will begin to get an idea when they are most likely to return to your region. It is possible that you\u2019ll hear them earlier or later than usual from time to time, depending on weather and climate fluctuations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the time of day? What time are you most likely to hear cuckoos calling to each other?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos are frequently heard singing during the early morning or late evening, though they can be heard at any time of day. <\/strong>They have been known to call very early, around dawn or slightly before, as well as late at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out a video of the distinctive bird call below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZXdZZAf0AU0<\/a>