
Klaas's Cuckoo
The Klaas's cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae which is native to the wooded regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 944 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Klaas's Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
944 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Klaas's Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Klaas's Cuckoo recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Klaas's Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the Klaas's Cuckoo at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
- Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
- Eastern CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Chrysococcyx klaas
Records
944
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Klaas's Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Klaas's Cuckoo in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Klaas's Cuckoo at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Klaas's Cuckoo in South Africa?
The Klaas's Cuckoo is most recorded in Western Cape (53% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (27% of records), Eastern Cape (6% of records), based on 944 iNaturalist observations. 157 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Klaas's Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Klaas's Cuckoo?
The Klaas's Cuckoo is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Klaas's Cuckoo?
The Klaas's cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae which is native to the wooded regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The species was named by French explorer François Le Vaillant after his Khoikhoi servant. Le Vaillant was the only colonial biologist to name some bird species after local people.



































