In Switzerland, children traditionally hunt for eggs said to have been left by the Easter Cuckoo. The custom is part of Switzerland’s distinctive Easter folklore, where the cuckoo—not only the more familiar Easter Bunny—is associated with bringing or hiding eggs.
The Easter Cuckoo tradition is especially connected with Swiss German-speaking regions. Like other Easter egg customs, it combines Christian spring celebrations with older European symbols of new life, fertility, and seasonal renewal. Eggs are commonly decorated, hidden outdoors or indoors, and collected by children in baskets.
A common mix-up is assuming that every European country uses the Easter Bunny. Switzerland has several regional Easter traditions, and the cuckoo is one of the country’s best-known alternatives. The bird is also a fitting seasonal symbol because cuckoos return to Europe during spring migration.
Swiss Easter celebrations can include decorated eggs, chocolate, festive breads, and egg-related games. The exact customs vary by canton and language region, but Switzerland is the canonical country associated with the Easter Cuckoo in this quiz question.