Chapter 4.22 - The Cataka (Pied crested cuckoo) in the Epics

These birds [i.e., Cataka—‘Pied crested cuckoo’] are usually black or red or black-red. They are very docile. They are generally round in shape. It is said that they live by drinking only raindrops. Any other water on earth is harmful to them due to the curse of some seer. Therefore they always roam through mountain caves and stay on top of tree branches hoping for rain. They always have their spouses by their side. They have beautiful wings and flu in flocks. They can fly very high and they make sure that they keep their wings tidy and free from fleas and other harmful insects that might make them sick.