black cuckoo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “black cuckoo” mean?
A specific species of cuckoo bird with predominantly black plumage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific species of cuckoo bird with predominantly black plumage.
May refer informally to any cuckoo species that appears mostly black; rarely used metaphorically to denote a person who brings misfortune or is a harbinger of bad news.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; the term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral ornithological reference in both. Non-technical metaphorical use is extremely rare.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, slightly higher in birdwatching/ornithology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “black cuckoo” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] black cuckoo [VERB].We observed a black cuckoo [VERB-ing].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black cuckoo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pair attempted to black cuckoo the nest, a rare behaviour.
- The guide warned us we might be black cuckooed by a rival species.
American English
- Researchers observed the species attempting to black cuckoo the host nest.
- The forest seemed to black cuckoo with the calls of the rare bird.
adverb
British English
- The bird called black-cuckoo-like from the thicket.
- It flew black-cuckoo-quick through the canopy.
American English
- It called out black-cuckoo-loud in the morning.
- The nest was parasitized black-cuckoo-style.
adjective
British English
- It was a classic black-cuckoo strategy, depositing an egg in the warbler's nest.
- We studied black-cuckoo parasitism rates.
American English
- The black-cuckoo behavior is well-documented in this region.
- He authored a paper on black-cuckoo ecology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Rare, except among birdwatchers.
Technical
Standard term for the species Cuculus clamosus.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black cuckoo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black cuckoo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black cuckoo”
- Incorrect plural: 'black cuckoos' (correct), not 'black cuckoo' for plural.
- Misplaced hyphen: It is 'black cuckoo' (noun phrase), not 'black-cuckoo' (unless used as a rare compound adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a different species (Cuculus clamosus) with a more limited range, primarily in Africa.
Its call is distinct from the classic 'cuckoo' sound of the common cuckoo; it is often described as a loud, repetitive, whistling phrase.
It is highly unusual and non-idiomatic. Terms like 'jinx' or 'pessimist' would be more standard.
In the wild, they are found in sub-Saharan Africa. In other regions, they might be seen in specialised avian collections or zoos.
A specific species of cuckoo bird with predominantly black plumage.
Black cuckoo is usually technical/scientific in register.
Black cuckoo: in British English it is pronounced /blæk ˈkʊk.uː/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæk ˈkuː.kuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms feature 'black cuckoo' specifically.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Black as coal, calls "cuckoo"' – a simple rhyme to remember it's a dark-coloured member of the cuckoo family.
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'black cuckoo' could metaphorically represent an unwelcome or ominous intruder (extending from the cuckoo's brood parasitism and black's association with bad omens).
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the term 'black cuckoo' most accurately and frequently used?