The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a migratory bird widely known for its distinctive “cu-coo” call and its unique brood parasitism behavior, where it lays eggs in the nests of other bird species. This species is found across Europe and Asia, migrating to Africa for the winter.
The cuckoo has long been a symbol of fate, transformation, and mystery in folklore across different cultures. Often associated with deception, unfulfilled longing, and messages from the spirit world, the cuckoo’s distinct call has inspired countless myths that reflect both admiration and superstition.
Folktales have long served as a way for cultures to pass down warnings, wisdom, and explanations for the natural world. Many of these stories involve transformation, justice, and supernatural interventions. One such tale is “The Story of the Little Boy and the Wicked Stepmother,” a haunting narrative that blends themes of betrayal, survival, and metamorphosis. […]
A funny story about the hoopoe and the cuckoo is told by the Rumanians at the expense of the Armenians. It is said that in olden times the forefather of the Armenians had to flee for his life. So, taking all his belongings with him, and mounting on a horse, he rode away as fast […]
The excrement of the roadrunner (correcaminos) is used against bad witchery. It should be bolied and drank. The excrement is also used among the Otomies to straighten the legs of children who cannot walk. If someone on his way to hunt runs into a roadrunner (correcaminos), the hunter will not find animals to hunt. To […]
The Tembo tribe of the Congo use parts of the Blue-headed Coucal as medicine. Its well-dried head serves as medicine for a women who has just given birth so that she can give much milk. For this, its head is suspended over the woman’s chest with a rope called Lubiku. Also, when it sings, people […]
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Science Article 5 abstract In western North America, yellow-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus) have undergone catastrophic declines; the eastern subspecies has undergone less rapid declines in most areas since approximately 1980. Direct loss and degradation of low-elevation riparian woodland habitats have been cited as the primary causes for the declines in yellow-billed […]
Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) Science Article 3 abstract A study of the social nesting habits of Crotophaga major was undertaken as part of a series of researches on the habits of the Crotophaginae. The nesting habits of C. ani have been described by Davis (1940) and the habits of Guira guira have been investigated (Davis, […]
Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) Science Article 2 abstract Selection of a suitable nesting site may determine failure or success of the breeding attempt. For instance, nest placement affects the radiative environment and thus survival of eggs and nestlings (Walsberg 1981). Nest placement also affects the likelihood of predation upon eggs and nestlings (e.g., Robertson 1973, […]
Greater Ani (Crotophaga major) Science Article 1 abstract The Greater Ani, Crotophaga major (Cuculidae), is the largest species of Crotophaga and is further distinguishedb y the characteristic’ broken nose’s hape of the bill and the light-coloredi ris. The species inhabits river swamps and marshes throughout the lowlands of South America to northern Argentina but has […]