Cuckoo

[Anji]

I watched a really interesting programme about cuckoos a couple of nights ago. It was called 'Natural World' and is being repeated today at 5pm on BBC 2. I'd certainly recommmend it.

[kas]

Yeah I watched it too. Amazing footage of the day old chick kicking out the eggs and chick, even in front of the paternal bird. A few of us saw a male chasing a female this year, this was the first time I have seen that behaviour.
You certainly hear them more than see them, and I did not realise they only stay here for 10 weeks.

[nirofo]

Here's a photo of one in the nest.

Robin feeding Cuckoo chick in the nest.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o71/nirofo/Birds/RobinfeedingCuckooinnest.jpg

nirofo.

[Anji]

That youngster looks as if it's about to swallow the robin.

What fascinated me most about the programme was the way it explained how the cuckoo evolved so that it can lay eggs which look the same as the host's eggs.