Diderick Cuckoo

Afrikaans name: Diederikkie

Above - Male Diderick Cuckoo

Photo © Steven Herbert

Chrysococcyx caprius

Diderick Cuckoos may be found over most of South Africa during the summer months. Normally you hear their call which is characteristic and gives them their common name.

These are attractive birds. The female is similar in colour to the male but is browner on her back while the male is bright green. Immature birds are very heavily streaked on their underparts.

The favourite food of the Diderick Cuckoo is caterpillars but it does also eat other insects.

Diderick Cuckoos are normally seen in pairs or by themselves. They are found in a wide variety of habitats including parks, gardens, savanna, woodland and riverine forest.

The Diderick Cuckoo parasitises a number of different species including weavers and sparrows. The female cuckoo sneaks into the nest of the host and eats, or throws out, one of the eggs and replaces it with her own.

Top

References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 109

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 84

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 46

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 121

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 40

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 106

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 79

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 337

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 332

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 238

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 353

List of South African Birds