Cercococcyx olivinus
The Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, *Cercococcyx olivinus*, is a cryptic and enchanting avian resident found throughout the dense forest habitats of the Afrotropics. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm (11-12 inches) in length, this slender bird is characterized by its exceptionally long, graduated tail, which often surpasses the length of its body. Its plumage features olive-brown upperparts, a paler throat, a greyish breast, and a buffy-white belly distinctly marked with fine dark barring, providing...
Found primarily in dense primary and mature secondary lowland rainforests and evergreen forests, occasionally frequenting forest edges or dense riparian woodlands, typically at elevations up to 1500 meters.
Feeds predominantly on insects, with a particular preference for caterpillars (including hairy ones often avoided by other birds), as well as beetles, grasshoppers, mantises, and termites, gleaned from foliage and branches.
The Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo is a largely solitary and highly secretive species, spending its days silently navigating the dense understory and mid-canopy strata. It forages by gleaning insects from foliage and branches, often making short, agile flights to snatch prey. Its territorial defense is...
The Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo is a resident species distributed across a broad band of West and Central Africa. Its range extends from Sierra Leone and Guinea eastward through Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria, continuing into Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Re...
Least Concern
- The Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo is more often heard than seen, a testament to its secretive nature and preference for dense forest cover, making its distinctive call a key identification feature for birders. - Unlike most birds, it is a brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs in the nests of othe...