Buiilds untidy nest in tree or shrub; occasionally uses nest of other species. Forages or hovers in foliage. Rare in Idaho, and present only in summer. Species is declining in parts of range due to deterioration of riparian
habitat. Coccyzus
americanus
(Yellow-billed Cuckoo)
Physical
Description:
11-13 1/2" (28-34 cm).
A long, slender bird with, gray-brown back, and white underparts. Red-brown
in primary feathers of the wings, most noticeable in flight; long, black tail
with large white spots at tips of undertail feathers. Yellow lower mandible
on the slightly curved bill.
Similar Species- Black-billed Cuckoo
Song:
Song is a long, rapid, throaty
ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-kow-kow- kowlp-kowlp--kowlp--kowlp, slowing
toward the end.
Distribution:
Breeds from interior California,
east to northern Utah, Minnesota, and New Brunswick, and south to southern Baja
California, Mexico, and Gulf Coast. Winters in southern Central America and
South America.
Diet:
Eats mainly caterpillars. Will
also eat other insects, some fruits, and occasionally, small lizards and frogs.
Ecology:
Buiilds untidy nest in tree or
shrub; occasionally uses nest of other species. Forages or hovers in foliage.
Rare in Idaho, and present only in summer. Species is declining in parts of
range due to deterioration of riparian habitat.
2-6 eggs (commonly 3-5),
for about 14 days. Both parents tend young, which climb in branches at 7-9 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNRB02020 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S1 |
| National Rank: | N5B |
Important
State References:
Taylor, D.M. and C.H. Trost.
1987. The status of rare birds in Idaho. Murrelet 68:69-93.