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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXX
Field-journal plate: Yellow-billed Cuckoo
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXX

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Cuculidae · Taxon 1965

Length26–30 cm (10.2–11.8 in)
Wingspan38–43 cm (15.0–16.9 in)
Weight55–65 g (1.9–2.3 oz)

Field marks

  1. Long, slim body with a very long rounded tail
  2. Grayish warm-brown upperparts and clean whitish underparts
  3. Mostly yellow, slightly downcurved bill with a dark upper ridge
  4. Yellow eye-ring with a subtle dark facial mask
  5. Rufous-chestnut panels in the wings
  6. Dark undertail marked with large white spots

HabitatDense deciduous woodland, forest edges, leafy thickets, second growth, overgrown orchards, and streamside groves, usually where thick cover is broken by gaps or clearings.

BehaviorUsually solitary or in pairs; forages slowly and often sits motionless within foliage before gleaning caterpillars and other insects or making short aerial sallies. A long-distance migrant with swift, direct flight and deep, pointed-wing beats.

Palette

warm gray-brownclean whitegolden yellowrufous chestnutcharcoal black