Courtship is performed by feeding and invariably accompanies copulation. The female indicates her interest by rhythmically jerking her body while keeping her wings closed. The female then grasps the food in her bill as the male bends his head downward. Both birds maintain a grip on the prey, which balances the male. The male settles low on the female and clutches both sides of her body with his legs.
Copulation can last up to two minutes.
The Great Spotted Cuckoo is parasitic and usually chooses to lay its eggs in the nest of the Pied Crow. Before the female lays her eggs, she takes the initiative and searches for a host's nest. Once the host's nest is chosen, the male may assist in distracting the host. The pair often distracts by loud calling. In some cases, the male approaches the host's nest conspicuously, calling as it flies from bush to bush.