Cuculoid

/ˈkjuːkjuːlɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or relating to the cuckoo family of birds.

Etymology

From Latin cuculus (cuckoo) plus the suffix -oid (meaning resembling or similar to). The root relates to imitative words for the cuckoo's characteristic call.

Kelly Says

Cuculoid birds are master tricksters—many cuckoos evolved to perfectly mimic host birds' eggs and chicks' calls, so their victims wouldn't realize they were raising imposters.

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