Richard Collins: Cuckoos and their extraordinary feats

The cuckoo's song is one of the most recognisable in nature — but few of us know what the bird looks like

We call it the ‘European’ cuckoo, but it’s actually an African bird. Picture: iStock

The cuckoo’s annual visit to Ireland is coming to an end. You may hear his magical song up to the end of the month, but seldom later than that. The best-known sound in all of nature everyone, even the most musically challenged, can recognise it effortlessly. But there’s a paradox here; few people have any idea what the singer looks like.

As children growing up in Limerick city, we would hear the two-note song. I remember trying to catch a glimpse of the caller but to no avail. The cuckoo pulls off an extraordinary feat; he produces the clearest of far-carrying sounds while, at the same time, keeping a tantalising low profile. A vocal ‘slight of hand’ is being perpetrated.