Welcome Back Cuckoo | Oakley Creek

Shining cuckoo, messenger of spring

Around the world, cuckoos are acknowledged as the messengers of spring. And this is true in New Zealand, too. Each spring, our own native shining cuckoo returns from its wintering grounds in the Pacific to breed here during the spring and summer.

Maori have long recognised the shining cuckoo, pipiwharauroa, as the bird of springtime. Ka tangi te pipiwharauroa, ko nga karere a mahuru, says a proverb. “When the shining cuckoo sings, it is announcing spring.”

Shining cuckoos are found throughout New Zealand in native forests, parks and even in people’s gardens, and their unmistakeable call is a beautiful reminder that warm weather is on its way.

At Oakley Creek reserve, in the Auckland suburb of Waterview, the shining cuckoo is a welcome presence, along with white-faced herons, tui, kingfishers, pheasants, mallards and many other birds that make their home in this valley between Unitec and Great North Road.

The Friends of Oakley Creek, a volunteer group who work to preserve and restore the ecological health of the area, invite you to join them in welcoming the shining cuckoo on October 6 2013, starting from 12noon.

The resource material on this website will help you learn more about this fascinating bird. You will also find a downloadable colouring-in picture and cuckoo face mask, words and music for cuckoo songs and sound clips of shining cuckoo, cuckoo chicks and the grey warbler—the cuckoo’s foster parent.

“Go cuckoo” with us this spring!