Kingdom Animalia Genus Coccyzus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Cuculidae Scientific name Coccyzus minor Higher classification Coccyzus Order Cuculiformes | |
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Similar Coccyzus, Black‑whiskered vireo, Black‑billed cuckoo, Yellow‑billed cuckoo, Gray kingbird | ||
Mangrove cuckoo calling
The mangrove cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) is a species of cuckoo that is native to the Neotropics.
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Adults have a long tail, brown above and black-and-white below, and a black curved bill with yellow on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown. There is a yellow ring around the eye. This bird is best distinguished by its black facial mask and buffy underparts. Although the scientific name is minor (meaning "small"), this species is on average the largest of North America's three Coccyzus cuckoos. Adults measure 28–34 cm (11–13 in) in length, weigh 64–102 g (2.3–3.6 oz) and span 38–43 cm (15–17 in) across the wings.
This cuckoo is found primarily in mangrove swamps and hammocks. It usually nests 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) above water in a mangrove tree or in a fork of a tree above ground. The nest is a relatively flat platform of twigs and leaves. The female lays 2-4 eggs with both adults sharing in feeding the young bird.
The mangrove cuckoo is a resident of southern Florida in the United States, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, both coasts of Mexico and Central America, and the Atlantic coast of South America as far south as the mouth of the Amazon River.
It prefers caterpillars and grasshoppers, but will also take other insects, spiders, snails, small lizards, and fruit.
The most common call heard is a guttural “gawk gawk gawk gawk gauk gauk”. It will also call a single “whit”.
The mangrove cuckoo is generally fairly common in its specialized range. This bird could be threatened by human development of mangrove habitat.
