About Clamator glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
This species, the great spotted cuckoo, measures 35–39 cm (14–15 in) in length, making it slightly larger than the common cuckoo. Its broad wings and long narrow tail give it a much larger overall appearance. Adults are grey on their upper body, with a slender build, long tail, and strong legs. They have a grey cap, grey wings, a yellowish face and upper breast, and white underparts. Males and females have similar plumage. Juveniles have blackish upperparts and cap, with chestnut primary wing feathers. This cuckoo has a flight pattern similar to that of a magpie. It inhabits warm open country that contains trees. Its diet includes insects, spiders, small reptiles, and hairy caterpillars, which many other bird species find distasteful. The call of the great spotted cuckoo is a loud cher-cher-kri-kri with variations.
