Hello, everyone! The Lesser Cuckoo, known for its distinctive cry and somewhat unusual parenting method, is a bird deeply cherished in Japan, often featured in poetry and songs. Today, let’s explore the charm of the Lesser Cuckoo together!
The Lesser Cuckoo is about 28 cm in length, slightly larger than a bulbul but smaller than a pigeon. Its head and back are gray, its wings and tail are dark brown, and its belly is white with black horizontal stripes. It also has a yellow eye-ring around its eyes, which adds a cute touch!
In Japan, the Lesser Cuckoo is a summer bird. It arrives in mid-May and can be seen from Kyushu northwards. The late arrival is to match the breeding season of the birds it parasitizes and because its primary food source, caterpillars, are still scarce in early spring. The Lesser Cuckoo doesn’t raise its own chicks but lays its eggs in the nests of bush warblers, a behavior known as brood parasitism. This task is quite challenging, so the Lesser Cuckoo lays eggs in many different nests.
The male’s loud calls serve to claim a large territory and to attract females. The call of the male is a somewhat noisy “Kyokkyokkyokkyokkyokkyokkyok!” which also sounds like “Ho-to-to-gi-su.” They call frequently from early morning until night. On an early summer night, listen carefully and enjoy the cry of the Lesser Cuckoo!
The Lesser Cuckoo appears frequently in Japanese classical literature. It is mentioned 153 times in the “Man’yōshū,” 42 times in the “Kokin Wakashū,” and 46 times in the “Shin Kokin Wakashū.” Quite a lot, isn’t it? Even the famous poet Matsuo Basho wrote haikus featuring the Lesser Cuckoo.
The Lesser Cuckoo, with its beautiful cry, has been beloved and featured in classical literature and poetry. It’s a joy to still be able to hear its cry today. Be sure to listen for the Lesser Cuckoo on an early summer night! Until next time!
