Photo: C. G. Finch-Davies / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
African Cuckoo-Hawk
Aviceda cuculoides
African Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 277 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
- Genus Aviceda
- Species cuculoides
Quick facts
- Weight
- 277 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Cuckoo-Hawk preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The African Cuckoo-Hawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides) is a member of the Accipitridae family, within the order Accipitriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, sc, se.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 277 g, with a wing length of about 26.5 cm and a tail of around 15.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 10.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Cuckoo-Hawk?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk is a large bird that weighs around 277 g.
Where does the African Cuckoo-Hawk live?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, sc, se, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the African Cuckoo-Hawk belong to?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the African Cuckoo-Hawk eat?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the African Cuckoo-Hawk migrate?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Cuckoo-Hawk endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the African Cuckoo-Hawk make?
1 real field recording of the African Cuckoo-Hawk — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Cuckoo-Hawk's range?
The African Cuckoo-Hawk has a mapped global range of about 10.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Accipitridae
A field guide to the Accipitridae family — 254 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.