Birds of Texas - Photos & Videos

© 2001 Walter Bauer, San Antonio, Texas

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 12"

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Field Marks: 12".  An elongated, loose-jointed species, longer but slimmer than a robin.    Loves to eat caterpillars.  Arrives late in spring.  Its flight is swift and direct; often seen flying across highways or between patches of woods.  This particular bird was seen in Guadalupe county along the Guadalupe river in July 2001.
Voice: Call is a long, staccato ki-ki-ki-ki-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp, slowing at the end.  Also a husky, measured towp, towp, towp, towp.  Sounds something like knock knock.  Sometimes calls on spring nights in migration.
Where found: Breeds from sw. British Columbia east to Maine, south to Mexico and Florida.  Local in California.  Winters in South America.
Texas: Summers (Apr-Nov) throughout.

Habitat: Widespread and fairly common in mixed or deciduous forests, thickets, and streamside woodlands.

Nest: A frail platform of twigs in bush or small tree. Eggs (2-4) blue-green.