Jacobin Cuckoo
Clamator jacobinus
The Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) is a uncommon cuckoo found in 51 countries, weighing about 79 g. The Jacobin cuckoo, also pied cuckoo or pied crested cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that is found in Africa and Asia.
About the Jacobin Cuckoo
The Jacobin cuckoo, also pied cuckoo or pied crested cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that is found in Africa and Asia. It is partially migratory and in India, it has been considered a harbinger of the monsoon rains due to the timing of its arrival. It has been associated with a bird in Indian mythology and poetry, known as the chātaka represented as a bird with a beak on its head that waits for rains to quench its thirst.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This medium-sized, slim black and white cuckoo with a crest is distinctive. The white wing patch on the black wing and the pattern make it unmistakable even in flight. They are very vocal during the breeding season. The call is a ringing series of whistling notes "piu-piu" with the calls of the nominate form more rapid and slightly Mellower. In India the subspecies serratus (Sparrman, 1786) is a summer breeding visitor to northern India and is believed to migrate to southern Africa.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Taiwan, Central African Republic, Yemen, Burundi.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Jacobin Cuckoo?
- This medium-sized, slim black and white cuckoo with a crest is distinctive. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Jacobin Cuckoo?
- The Jacobin Cuckoo is a medium sized bird weighing about 79 g.
- Where can you see a Jacobin Cuckoo?
- The Jacobin Cuckoo occurs in 51 countries, including India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Namibia.
- What birds look similar to a Jacobin Cuckoo?
- The Jacobin Cuckoo is most easily confused with the Great Spotted Cuckoo, the Levaillant's Cuckoo and the Chestnut-winged Cuckoo.
- Is the Jacobin Cuckoo endangered?
- The Jacobin Cuckoo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Jacobin Cuckoo for real
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