Black cuckoo

Introduction: Black cuckoos (Cuculus clamosus) inhabit forest and open woodlands particularly Acacia thicket and trees and plantations around settlements. They are solitary birds, perching high in canopies, identifiable by their repetitive call.

Distribution: Central and northern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Ovamboland and the Caprivi Strip. Absent from coastal and Namib Desert regions.

Diet: Hairy and smooth caterpillars, grasshoppers, termites, beetles, birds' eggs and small birds.

Description: Small to medium-sized cuckoos with long and pointed wings, elongated rump feathers. Grey in colour above. Clamosus is the Latin word for noisy.

Breeding: Brood parasite with the female removing host eggs with 4 or 5 eggs laid on alternate days with an incubation period of 14 days.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 90g.