Parasitic Behaviors of Cuckoos (Aves: Cuculidae) and Host Interactions in Bangladesh

Abstract Cuckoos are different on the basis of their brood parasitic behavior. They lay eggs in their host birds. In order to know the evolutionary biology and adaptation, the study on cuckoos’ behavior is significant than other birds. A short review suggested the breeding season of all cuckoos was from January to October due to abundant pests and host birds in nature. In the family Cuculidae, out of 12 cuckoos of Bangladesh, resident cuckoos were 6 (plaintive cuckoo, gray-bellied cuckoo, banded bay cuckoo, Asian koel (resident but local migrant), common hawk-cuckoo, Asian drongo-cuckoo), and migratory were 6 too (chestnut-winged cuckoo, pied cuckoo, common cuckoo, large hawk-cuckoo, Indian cuckoo, Asian emerald cuckoo). They showed egg and chick mimicry in host birds’ nest. Except the nest of house crow (Corvus splendens) where the Asian koel laid eggs, but other cuckoos preferred small host birds because of their wide-mouth, and they are very swift to collect food to nourish the chick of cuckoos. Additionally, they are not more intelligent as crows to recognize cuckoo chick in their nest.