Yellow-billed Cuckoo

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, is a slender bird, cloaked in brown with a white underbelly. Its namesake yellow bill, curved and robust, is particularly prominent on the lower mandible. A distinctive yellow orbital ring graces its eyes, and in flight, one can glimpse a flash of cinnamon on its wings. The tail is a striking mosaic of brown, black, and white.

Identification Tips

Adults boast a long tail with a black-and-white underside, and a black bill with a notable yellow hue, especially on the lower part. The head and upper body are brown, while the underparts are white. Juveniles share a similar appearance, but with gray replacing the black on the undertail.

Habitat

This species favors deciduous woodlands, where it can be found from the southern reaches of Canada through to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Distribution

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a migratory bird, breeding in North America and wintering in Central America, extending its stay as far south as northern Argentina. It is an occasional rare visitor to western Europe.

Behaviour

These birds are adept at foraging in dense shrubbery and trees, and they are also capable of snatching insects mid-flight. They are known to gather near insect outbreaks, taking advantage of the abundant food source.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocalizations, often heard on hot days, have earned it the folk names "rain crow" and "storm crow," as its calls are said to herald impending rain or thunderstorms.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in trees or shrubs, typically 1 to 4 meters above ground. The nest is a simple platform of twigs. Eggs, numbering 3 to 4, hatch in less than two weeks, and the agile chicks are able to climb and fly shortly thereafter. The entire breeding cycle, from egg-laying to fledging, can span a mere 17 days.

Similar Species

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be confused with the Black-billed Cuckoo, though the latter lacks the yellow mandible.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is primarily insectivorous, with a preference for tent caterpillars and cicadas. They also consume lizards, eggs of other birds, and berries.

Conservation status

The conservation status of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is currently classified as Least Concern. However, the Western population is under threat, with significant declines noted over the past century. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the western population as threatened and designated critical habitat to aid in its recovery. Debate continues over the taxonomic distinction between Eastern and Western populations, which has implications for conservation efforts.