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Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, photographed by Maria Stewart

Photo: Maria Stewart · Unsplash · Unsplash License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Slender, long-tailed bird that is more often heard than seen. Brown above and white below, with a yellow bill. Look for the large white spots on underside of tail. Wings flash rufous, especially obvious in flight. Stealthy and shy in dense forests and riparian areas, often sitting motionless for long periods of time. Feeds mainly on caterpillars and other insects. Uncommon but widespread breeder across much of North America; more southerly distribution than Black-billed Cuckoo. Winters in South America, where care should be taken to separate from very similar Pearly-breasted Cuckoo, which lacks rufous tones in wing. Separated from Black-billed Cuckoo by bill color, wing color, and tail pattern. Listen for its hoarse cooing song and knocking calls.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 59 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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