cuckoo

Everyday

1. A cuckoo is a grey bird whose call sounds like «cuck-oo». tree →
2. Some cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, so other birds raise their chicks. tree →
3. A cuckoo clock has a little bird that pops out and calls the hours. tree →
4. Informally, «cuckoo» means silly or crazy. tree →

In the lessons

In science the cuckoo is a famous example of a bird that tricks others: its chick may push the other eggs out of the nest. In Britain and Ireland hearing the first cuckoo means spring has come. In stories cuckoo clocks tick in old houses. Phrases: «cuckoo clock», «a cuckoo in the nest» (someone who does not belong and takes over), «go cuckoo».

Examples

• We heard a cuckoo calling in the woods. tree →
• The cuckoo lays its egg in another bird's nest. tree →
• The cuckoo chick was bigger than its foster parents. tree →
• Grandma's cuckoo clock calls every hour. tree →
• Hearing the first cuckoo means spring is here. tree →
• The cuckoo flew off across the field. tree →
• That idea is a bit cuckoo! tree →
• The little bird popped out of the clock: «Cuckoo!» tree →
• The cuckoo sang, and the lark carolled, for it was now beautiful spring. tree →

Note

Plural: cuckoos. Stress on the first syllable: KOO-koo. The common cuckoo lives in Europe, Asia and Africa; North America and Australia have other kinds of cuckoos. Calling a person «cuckoo» can be unkind.