The Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus), also known as the Pied Cuckoo, is one of the most fascinating and symbolic birds in Indian culture. Often hailed as the ‘harbinger of monsoon’, its arrival from Africa is timed with the onset of rains in northern India.

This sleek black-and-white bird with a prominent crest and long tail is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of babblers, especially Jungle Babblers. The foster parents unknowingly raise the young cuckoo.

Why I Love Watching Them

During pre-monsoon birding walks, hearing their loud, whistling call gives me a feeling of excitement and change. They’re shy and agile, often perching high or darting between trees. Photographing them in golden light after a fresh rain is a joy.

📸 Image Info
The image used above was taken at diara on Aug 2024.

Stay tuned for more bird profiles and field notes from my photography travels.