Pied Cuckoo, Harbinger Of Rains, Arrives In TG

Hyderabad:The pied cuckoo, a migratory bird long associated with the arrival of the southwest monsoon, has been sighted in various parts of Telangana. Its annual arrival from Africa is closely tracked by bird watchers and researchers, as it typically coincides with the onset of seasonal rains.

Scientifically known as Clamator jacobinus, the bird rides the southwest monsoon winds from Africa to the Indian subcontinent. It appears across southern India and Sri Lanka between May and June, and is widely regarded as one of the earliest natural indicators of the monsoon’s approach.

The pied cuckoo is a medium-sized bird with black and white plumage and a distinctive crest. It is easily identified by its repetitive call. Like its cousins, the pied cuckoo does not build its own nest. Instead, it lays eggs in the nests of other bird species, such as babblers, which raise the chicks.

While most pied cuckoos return to Africa after the breeding season, some are known to stay back and live in India throughout the year. The reasons behind this shift in behaviour are still being studied. In some cases, young birds born in India have been observed flying back to Africa without guidance from adult birds, suggesting strong inbuilt migration instincts.

Sightings of the bird during this period are seen as part of a predictable pattern linked to weather changes. Birders use online platforms to record these observations, which are also useful for studying long-term climate and migration trends.