THE African Emerald Cuckoo is arguably the most beautiful of the six species of cuckoos’ found in our area, as is confirmed by its Afrikaans name, Mooimeisie.
Description
It is slightly smaller than the smallest dove and is 21 to 23 cm long with a weight of about 35 grams. The males are the flashy ones with iridescent metallic green feathers on their wings, back, head and chest with a strikingly bright yellow lower breast and abdomen. The tail feathers have dashes of white that add to the colourful combination. Their eyes are a brownish-orange colour. The female is quite different and has a brown tone with a lot of green and whitish barring.
Distribution
It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa but, in South Africa, it is only found in the eastern parts that includes most of KwaZulu-Natal, with the exception of the Drakensberg. It is believed to be a breeding migrant, which means it visits our area primarily during the breeding season, from September to April, and moves towards central Africa during winter as there is an abundant source of food. There is some dispute as to whether it actually migrates or not as it is not uncommon to spot females during our winter.
Habitat
In our area it is commonly found in riparian forest areas, of which we have plenty, so be sure to keep a look out for them when in forested areas along streams. It is also quite at home in gardens with many trees as well as parks.
General habits
The Emerald Cuckoo is not a very social bird, so it will be mostly seen alone or in pairs. As part of its courtship, the male will often present the female with a juicy caterpillar to entice her to mate.
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Feeding habits
It feeds on locusts, caterpillars, ants, grasshoppers and butterflies. It can often be spotted picking caterpillars on Pigeonwood trees (Trema orientalis).
Breeding habits
The breeding habits of Cuckoos’ are not very endearing! As with all cuckoos’ the Emerald Cuckoo is parasitic and lays its eggs in the nest of an unsuspecting host bird so it never builds its own nest and never has to look after its young! It cannily replaces one host egg with its own which it can lay in a few seconds of sitting on the nest. The female Cuckoo will lay a clutch of 3 or 4 eggs laying one egg every day or on alternate days in different host nests. As she does not have to care for the eggs nor the chicks, she can produce up to 5 clutches in one season.
Call
The male Emerald Cuckoo’s call is very distinctive and easy to remember and it is repeated at length during the breeding season. The call consists of a very loud, three-note whistle “hello, Geor-gie”, with the last note pitched higher than the rest. It seldom calls in winter. It is also a very frustrating call for birders as it easy to hear and identify the sound but difficult to find the bird as its colouring allows it to blends in so well with the green of the forest.
Threats
It is listed by the IUCN as “least concern”, although it was once hunted for its bright feathers. Loss of habitat, mainly deforestation for human settlements, is a cause for concern. It is believed that it is preyed upon by the Bat Hawk.
Interesting facts
As mentioned above the call of the male is quite unique, but the female also makes an interesting call described by Sir David Attenborough as the sound of “bathwater gurgling down a plughole”, which is the call she makes when looking for somewhere to lay her eggs. There are many strange beliefs related to Cuckoos. One of the more common beliefs is that it is good luck to have money in your pocket when you hear a Cuckoo. Another belief is that you should repeat whatever you are doing when you hear a Cuckoo as the call is a positive sign that the particular activity will be beneficial.
Visit www.kloofconservancy.org.za or follow the NPO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KloofConservancy
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