Klaas's Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx klaas
The Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) is a uncommon cuckoo found in 41 countries, weighing about 27 g. Klaas's cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae which is native to the wooded regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Klaas's Cuckoo
Klaas's cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae which is native to the wooded regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The specific name honours Klaas, the Khoikhoi man who collected the type specimen.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Klaas's cuckoo is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 inches) in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males have a glossy green body with few markings and plain white underparts. Females have a bronze-brown body, greenish wing coverts and faintly barred white underparts. Viewed in flight, the male is largely white with dark primaries and females appear mostly brown. Males and females both have a small white post-ocular patch.
What the Klaas's Cuckoo sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Eritrea, Somalia, Lesotho, Mauritania.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Klaas's Cuckoo?
- Klaas's cuckoo is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 inches) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Klaas's Cuckoo?
- The Klaas's Cuckoo is a small sized bird weighing about 27 g.
- Where can you see a Klaas's Cuckoo?
- The Klaas's Cuckoo occurs in 41 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria.
- What does a Klaas's Cuckoo sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Klaas's Cuckoo on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Klaas's Cuckoo?
- The Klaas's Cuckoo is most easily confused with the African Emerald Cuckoo, the Diederik Cuckoo and the Violet Cuckoo.
- Is the Klaas's Cuckoo endangered?
- The Klaas's Cuckoo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Klaas's Cuckoo for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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