Cuckoo is the latest monograph of Reaktion Books’ Animal Series. It is short and concise and takes a slightly different approach to other recent bird monographs, focusing less on scientific studies and more on the influence of the species on our society through time. Cuckoos are ideal for such a book as, over the centuries, they have imprinted onto many facets of our culture. Many poems, plays, books, films, and phrases have drawn inspiration from the species, which for so long our ancestors viewed with an air of mystery. And it wasn’t just obscure historical figures that were influenced by Cuckoos, but household names such as Shakespeare, Vivaldi and Wordsworth. It’s a real reminder of how powerful a species can be in our imagination, and how important it is that we conserve them. Author Cynthia Chris has done a fantastic job mining all this information, as well as finding the many pictures that enrich the pages. 

The book principally focuses on our Common Cuckoo, although other species of the cuckoo tribe (and near relatives) are mentioned. I very much liked reading about the origins of the family, and how it evolved to be the group of birds that delight so many of us today. And of course, it was great of Cynthia to mention BTO’s ongoing Cuckoo Tracking Project. Overall, this is a well-written book that would be a nice gift to any nature-loving friend or family member.

Reviewed by

Gethin Jenkins-Jones