LITTLE CUCKOO 
CUCO-ARDILLA CHICO

Coccycua minuta

The little cuckoo (formerly in the Piaya genus) weighs 40 grams (1.4 oz) and is found in mangrove swamps, and scrubby woodland near water. The adult is mainly chestnut brown, with a greyish lower belly, browner tail and white tips to the tail feathers. The bill is yellow, short, and decurved; the iris of the eyes is red. Immature birds are dark brown with a black beak and no white tail tips. It is believed to be an all-year resident, but its irregular occurrence in some areas has led to the belief that it undertakes seasonal short-distance migrations. It is widely distributed and not of rare occurrence, it is not considered a threatened species. The little cuckoo is a shy bird which forages in low branches for insects and other small arthropods. The female lays two white eggs in a deep cup nest. Like most cuckoos, the female incubates the eggs itself.

El cuco-ardilla chico fue registrado anteriormente en el género Piaya. Se lo encuentra en regiones húmedas de todo el país por debajo de 1600 m de altura. Habita en zonas de bosque, matorrales, pastizales, manglares y cerca de lagos y pantanos. Presenta pico amarillo grisáceo con punta oscura, patas azul opaco a negro grisáceo y anillo ocular e iris rojo. El adulto es de color castaño por encima, tiene garganta y pecho de color castaño rojizo, partes inferiores bajas gris ante y cola con bandas terminales blancas. Pesa 40 g. Los jóvenes son de color café grisáceo por encima con alas rojizas o negruzcas sin blanco en la cola y de color gris más oscuro por debajo.

Back to Gallery
Birds by Family
Birds by Order
Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4135

Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4145

Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4137

Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4141

Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4146

Little cuco, Cuco ardilla chico, Coccycua minuta

LAM_4149