1. plural of cuckoo; birds known for laying eggs in other birds’ nests and for their distinctive call

Examples

• The cuckoos arrived in spring with their familiar two-note call.
• European cuckoos are famous for their parasitic breeding behavior.
• We heard several cuckoos calling from the forest this morning.
• The ornithologist studied how cuckoos choose host nests for their eggs.
• Young cuckoos often grow larger than their foster parents.
• The migration patterns of cuckoos have fascinated researchers for decades.