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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.

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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.

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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.