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Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus ORDER: CUCULIFORMES FAMILY: CUCULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Black-billed Cuckoo Photo

Common but secretive, the Black-billed Cuckoo is heard far more often than seen. During the breeding season, this forest dwelling caterpillar-eater often calls throughout the night.

Come watch nesting birds at Nestcams.org

At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
11–12.2 in
28–31 cm
Wingspan
13.4–15.7 in
34–40 cm
Weight
1.4–2.3 oz
40–65 g
Other Names
  • Coulicou à bec noir (French)
  • Cuclillo piquinegre, Cuclillo pico negro (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • Cuckoos eat many spiny caterpillars and the spines stick in the lining of the stomach. The stomach lining is periodically shed to remove the spines.
  • The apparent tendency to call more frequently before rain explains why both Black-billed and Yellow-billed cuckoos are called "Rain Crows."
  • Like its Old World relatives, the Black-billed Cuckoo is known occasionally to lay eggs in the nest of other bird species.
  • The time from egg laying to young leaving the nest is, at 17 days, among the shortest for any bird. Despite this speed, most pairs raise only one brood a year.

Habitat


Forest

Groves of trees, forest edges, and thickets, frequently associated with water.

Food


Insects

Large insects, and especially caterpillars, some fruits and seeds.

Nesting

Nesting Facts
Clutch Size
1–6 eggs
Egg Description
Greenish-blue, unmarked.
Condition at Hatching
Helpless, but alert and active within minutes of hatching. Shiny black skin, no down.
Nest Description

Flimsy shallow cup of twigs and grasses. Lined with softer material. Placed in small trees.

Nest Placement

Tree

Behavior


Foliage Gleaner

Waits motionless for long periods, watching for prey to move. Makes running, hopping dashes to catch prey. May shake and hammer caterpillar on branch before swallowing.

Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

High Priority concern on Audubon Watch List; regional high-priority species for conservation in Midwest.

Credits

  • Hughes, J. M. 2001. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus). In The Birds of North America, No. 587 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Range Map Help

Black-billed Cuckoo Range Map
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