Cuckoos

Order: CUCULIFORMES - Family: CUCULIDAE

149 Species currently existing - 20 in region

Appearance: Cuckoos display a variety of sizes and colors, with some species exhibiting vibrant plumage. Species like the Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) are commonly found. They often have a slender body, long tail, and distinctive patterns on their feathers.

Habitat: Cuckoos in Colombia inhabit a range of ecosystems, including forests, wooded areas, plantations, and sometimes even urban parks and gardens. Different species may prefer specific habitats, such as the Thick-billed Cuckoo (Pachycoccyx audeberti) found in montane forests.

Behavior: Cuckoos are known for their elusive nature, making them more often heard than seen. They may be observed foraging for insects, caterpillars, or fruit in the dense vegetation.

Breeding: Cuckoos may exhibit brood parasitism, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species. Host species in Colombia might include various birds like antbirds, tyrant flycatchers, or tanagers. The chicks of cuckoos are known for their rapid growth and vocal mimicry skills.

Greater Ani

Crotophaga major
Spanish Name: Garrapatero Grande

Size: 19 in | 48 cm
Habitat: Found in montane forests.
Height: to 1200 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Smooth-billed Ani

Crotophaga ani
Spanish Name: Garrapatero piquiliso

Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, pastures, agricultural areas, and scrublands.
Height: to 2600 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris
Spanish Name: Garrapatero piquiestirado

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: open areas with scrubland, grassland, pastures, and agricultural fields
Height: to 1200 m

Photo: © Michael McCloy eBird S33447515 Macaulay Library ML 48922391

Striped Cuckoo

Tapers naevia
Spanish Name: Cuzco Sin-fin

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: savannas, grasslands, agricultural areas, scrublands, and forest edges.
Height: to 2000 m

Photo: © sylvain Uriot eBird S76434787 Macaulay Library ML 281235811

Pheasant Cuckoo

Dromococcyx phasianellus
Spanish Name: Cusco faisán

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests and wooded habitats
Height: to 1500 m

Photo: © Andrew Spencer eBird S26233682 Macaulay Library ML 39666821

Pavonine Cuckoo

Dromococcyx pavoninus
Spanish Name: Cuco Pavonino

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, including lowland rainforests, secondary forests, and forest edges.
Height: 500-1800 m

Photo: © Luiz Matos eBird S38729888 Macaulay Library ML 68831851

Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo

Neomorphus goeffroyi
Spanish Name: Cuco Terrestre Collarejo

Size: 20 in | 50 cm
Habitat: Dense, mature lowland forests with a complex understory, thick vegetation, and ample leaf litter.
Height: to 1000 m

Photo: © Andrew Spencer eBird S30658922 Macaulay Library ML 31180911

Banded Ground-cuckoo

Neomophus radiolosus
Spanish Name: Cuco-terrestre Escamado

Size: 20 in | 50 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests
Height: to 1200 m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S100985169 Macaulay Library ML 407615351

Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo

Neomorphus rufipennis
Spanish Name: Cuco-terrestre Alirrojo

Size: 20 in | 50 cm
Habitat: Dense, humid lowland forests with a thick understory, leaf litter, and abundant fallen branches.
Height: to 400 m

Photo: © Gabriel Leite eBird S52476360 Macaulay Library ML 141894401

Red-billed Ground-cuckoo

Neomorphus pucheranii
Spanish Name: Cuco-terrestre piquirrojo

Size: 20 in | 50 cm
Habitat: Dense, humid lowland forests with a thick understory, leaf litter, and tangled vegetation.
Height: to 400 m

Photo: © Tim Norfolk Birdspof the World

Little Cuckoo

Coccycua minuta
Spanish Name: Cuco-ardilla Chico

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and rural areas.

Height: to 1600 m

Photo: © Luis Materon

Dwarf Cuckoo

Coccycua pumila
Spanish Name: Cuco Enano

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Subtropical or tropical dry forests and lowland moist forests.
Height: to 1000 m

Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Ash-colored Cuckoo

Coccycua cinerea
Spanish Name: Cuco Cenizo

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests and occasionally visits edges and clearings.
Height: 100 m

Photo: © Mauricio Schmithalter Macaulay Library ML 126186231

Squirrel-cuckoo

Piaya cayana
Spanish Name: Cuco-ardilla Común

Size: 17 in | 43 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, mangroves, wooded areas, and forest edges.
Height: to 1500 m

Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Black-bellied Cuckoo

Piaya melanogaster
Spanish Name: Cuco-ardilla Buchinegro

Size: 16 in | 40 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, wooded areas, and forest edges.
Height: to 700 m

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus
Spanish Name: Cuco Americano

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Forests, woodlands, and riparian areas near water sources.
Height: to 3300 m

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri
Spanish Name: Cuco Buchiblanco

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, secondary growth, and woodland areas.
Height: < 500 m

Mangrove Cuckoo

Coccyzus minor
Spanish Name: Cuco Manglero

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Mangrove forests, coastal scrublands, and wooded areas near water sources.
Height: < 100 m

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus
Spanish Name: Cuco Piquioscuro

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Wooded habitats, including forests, savannas, and shrublands.
Height: < 2600 m

Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Spanish Name: Cuco Piquinegro

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Forests, secondary growth, and woodland areas.
Height: < 2600 m

Gray-capped Cuckoo

Coccyzus lansbergi
Spanish Name: Cuco Canelo

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Wooded habitats, including forests, mangroves, and plantations.
Height: < 1000 m