yellow billed cuckoo

1. Bird Name
The bird in focus here is the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, known by its scientific name as Coccyzus americanus.

2. Appearance
As its name suggests, the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo boasts a bill with the lower part being yellow – an attribute that simply sets it apart from other species. The adult bird features a long, dark greyish-brown upper body coupled by a ‘whitish underbody’. The underside of its tail features striking dark-brown to black feathers conspicuously marked with a series of large, white spots. The eyes of this cuckoo are red-brown and its somewhat zygodactyl feet – two toes pointing forward and two backward – are anicient grey. Important to note is that there is virtually no noticeable difference in appearance between male and female Yellow-billed Cuckoos.

3. Size
Its length ranges between 12.2–12.6 inches in total (30-32cm). And it commands an impressive wingspan that averages between 17-18 inches (43-46cm). The weight is about 2.1–2.3 ounces (60-65 grams).

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo can naturally be found all over North, Central, and South America, preferring to occupy deciduous woodlands and thickets, particularly those near rivers or swamps. Outside of the breeding season, they migrate to South America.

5. Interesting Facts
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo has an unusual mating and nesting habits. They are one of the few species that may lay eggs in other birds’ nests, a behavior known as brood parasitism. Another fascinating fact about these birds is their unique call. They tend to call right before storms – as a response, they are also commonly referred to as the “rain crow” or “storm crow”.

6. Diet
Yellow-billed Cuckoos are insectivore, their diet chiefly consists of caterpillars, including hairy ones that may be refused by other birds, and large insects such as cicada, beetles, and grasshoppers. They are also known to supplement their diet with fruits and berries.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Yellow-Billed Cuckoos are elusive and often solitary. Famous for their characteristic “cucucucu-cu” call or the “coocoo-coocoo,” their unique call is the best indicator of their presence as they are often difficult to spot due to their secretive nature.

8. Conservation Status
The status of the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo on the IUCN Red List is ‘Near Threatened,’ with their population appearing to be on a gradually declining trend due to habitat loss and degradation.

9. Lifespan
Yellow-billed Cuckoos can live up to approximately six years in the wild. There are currently no specific records of their lifespan in captivity.

10. Additional Notes
In Spanish, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is referred to as “Cuclillo Piquigualdo”. It’s ecological importance is quite significant – by consuming huge quantities of insects, especially during breeding season, it helps regulate pest populations. As mentioned earlier, their calls are often linked to impending rain, giving them a unique cultural significance, and in some parts they are seen as harbingers of rain and relief from scorching summer heat.