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Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus ORDER: CUCULIFORMES FAMILY: CUCULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Yellow-billed Cuckoo Photo

© Kevin T. Karlson

A common, but slow-moving and secretive denizen of woodlands, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo eats large quantities of hairy caterpillars. Its loud call is heard far more frequently than the bird is actually seen.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Crows and Jays-like
Crows and Jays-like
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Slender, medium-sized bird.
  • Long tail with large white spots along edges.
  • Dull brown back.
  • Underside whitish.
  • Bill black above, with yellow lower mandible.
  • Rufous in wings.

Immature Description

Resembles adult, but with less distinct tail pattern.

Range Map Help

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Range Map
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Similar Species

  • Black-billed Cuckoo has all black bill, a red orbital ring, much smaller white spots under the paler tail feathers, and lacks rufous patches in the wings.