Yes, there definitely seems to be something with the ''fast-paced grooming (for a specific political purpose?)'' symbolic nature of the cuckoo. Same goes with the mockingbird who mimicks others. Both can be found in popular culture in association with molding people to one's desired ways:

• memory loss from shock treatment in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• Katniss being used as "the Mockingjay" rebellious leader in The Hunger Games
• the manipulation of news media for propaganda purposes with Operation Mockingbird

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Flew_Over_the_Cuckoo%27s_Nest_(film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockingjay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockingjay_(disambiguation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockingbird_(disambiguation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockingbird
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mockingbird