Black Cuckoo
Cuculus clamosus
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="cuculus-clamosus"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/cuculus-clamosus/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/cuculus-clamosus/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/cuculus-clamosus/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="cuculus-clamosus"></birdfyi-bird>About
Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) — 28–32 cm. Entirely glossy black; slender build; long tail; slightly decurved bill. Inhabits forest, woodland, and dense savanna across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting bulbuls, shrikes, and other passerines. Insectivore; specialises in hairy caterpillars. Identified by its mournful 'I'm so sad' call.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 36.2 cm | 14.3 in |
| Weight | 86.86666666666667 g | 3.06 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Black Cuckoo: all glossy black; red eye; occasionally rufous undertail; slender; long dark tail; sexually monomorphic dark plumage
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 13-14 days. Fledging: 20-21 days.
Sound
Song
Loud, nasal call with bubbling quality; distinctive resonant notes carrying through dense African forest.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes (Cuckoos) |
| Family | Cuculidae (Cuckoos) |
| Genus | Cuculus |
| Species | Cuculus clamosus |
Distribution
Black Cuckoo has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Black Cuckoo endangered?
How does the Black Cuckoo nest?
What does the Black Cuckoo sound like?
How big is the Black Cuckoo?
What order and family does the Black Cuckoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cuculidae family