Squirrel Cuckoo Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSquirrel Cuckoo
Adult (Middle America)
A large cuckoo with a long, tapering tail with prominent white spots. Upperparts are rusty orange, the throat is a lighter cinnamon, and the belly is a soft gray. The bill is greenish-yellow, and the bright red eye is surrounded by a yellow or red eyering.
© fernando Burgalin Sequeria / Macaulay LibraryHeredia, January 15, 2019Adult (Amazonian)
“Amazonian” Squirrel Cuckoo occurs in forests and wooded areas across much of South America.
© Scott (瑞興) LIN(林) / Macaulay LibraryRio de Janeiro, October 23, 2016Adult (Amazonian)
A large cuckoo with a long, fanlike tail. Rusty upperparts give way to a cinnamon head and throat and light gray breast. Adult’s red eye has a yellow or red eyering (depending on location).
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryVargas, December 25, 2013Not all videos have sound
Adult (West Mexico)
“West Mexico” Squirrel Cuckoo, sometimes considered a separate species, has rusty undertail feathers (as opposed to black in other subspecies groups).
© Steve Gellman / Macaulay LibraryNayarit, April 02, 2020Adult (Middle America)
The long, graduated tail can be up to 28 cm (11 inches) long—more than half the bird’s total length.
© Judy Matsuoka / Macaulay LibraryHeredia, January 26, 2013Adult (nigricrissa)
Moves rapidly along branches high up in trees. Gives an abrupt, ratcheting call (heard at end of video) in flight.
© Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryValle del Cauca, February 17, 2015Not all videos have sound
Adult (nigricrissa)
Forages for insects in the midstory and canopy of forests and woodlands.
© Juan Sebastian Moreno / Macaulay LibraryCauca, April 14, 2016Adult (nigricrissa)
Occurs in dry and humid forests, from sea level to over 2,000 m (6,600 feet).
© Jon Lowes / Macaulay LibraryPichincha, May 27, 2015Adult (Amazonian)
Feeds on caterpillars and other insects.
© Arthur Gomes / Macaulay LibrarySão Paulo, March 06, 2021Not all videos have sound
Adult (Middle America)
The widespread “Middle America” Squirrel Cuckoo ranges from eastern Mexico to northwestern Colombia.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryQuintana Roo, December 21, 2012Adult (Middle America)
Hops rapidly along branches like a squirrel.
© Oliver Burton / Macaulay LibraryColón, February 25, 2016Often concealed in midstory or canopy vegetation, but occasionally glides across clearings and perches out in the open.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryCojedes, January 04, 2015Similar SpeciesBlack-bellied Cuckoo
Adult
Black-bellied Cuckoo of South America has a gray crown, red bill, blue eyering, and yellow spot in front of the eye.
© Shailesh Pinto / Macaulay LibraryMato Grosso, July 22, 2015Similar SpeciesLittle Cuckoo
Adult
Little Cuckoo of South America is much smaller than Squirrel Cuckoo, with a relatively shorter tail and less contrast between the color of the breast and upperparts. Little Cuckoo typically occurs in low vegetation, while Squirrel Cuckoo moves about higher in trees.
© Sam Woods / Macaulay LibraryPichincha, June 17, 2021Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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