Coccyzus erythropthalmus
The Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) is a sleek and often elusive avian species, distinguished by its subtle beauty and secretive habits. Measuring approximately 28-31 cm (11-12 inches) in length with a wingspan of 38-43 cm (15-17 inches) and weighing 45-65 grams (1.6-2.3 oz), it exhibits uniform olive-brown upperparts contrasting with immaculate white underparts. Key identification marks include a striking, bare red eye-ring, a slender, entirely black bill, and a relatively lon...
This cuckoo primarily inhabits dense, early-successional deciduous or mixed forests, often near water sources, and can be found from sea level up to moderate elevations (e.g., 1000-1500 meters) in its breeding range.
Predominantly insectivorous, their diet consists primarily of large insects, especially hairy caterpillars (e.g., tent caterpillars, gypsy moth larvae), supplemented with other insects, spiders, and some small fruits or berries. They forage by gleaning prey directly from foliage.
Black-billed Cuckoos are largely diurnal but exhibit highly secretive behavior, often remaining motionless and hidden within dense foliage, making them challenging to observe. Their foraging strategy primarily involves stealthy gleaning of insects from leaves and branches, though they will occasi...
The Black-billed Cuckoo's breeding range spans a significant portion of eastern and central North America, extending from southern Canada (e.g., southern Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) south through the Great Lakes region and New England, west to the northern Great Plains (North Dakota,...
Least Concern
- The Black-billed Cuckoo possesses specialized stomach lining that can be shed to remove irritating caterpillar spines, allowing it to safely consume hairy species that other birds avoid. - They have one of the fastest nesting cycles among North American birds, with young capable of leaving the ...