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Mangrove Cuckoo

Coccyzus minorOrder: CUCULIFORMESFamily: Cuckoos and Roadrunners (Cuculidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest, Marshes



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester, Sometimes forms loose colonies



Breeding Population:

Rare to uncommon



Egg Color:

Light blue



Number of Eggs:

2 - 3



Incubation Days:

9 - 11



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Twigs and leaves.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Mangrove Cuckoo: Medium-sized cuckoo with gray-brown upperparts, black ear patch, yellow eye-ring, white throat, and buff-washed white underparts. Long, dark tail has six large white spots underneath, each with a dark spot. Decurved bill is dark above and yellow below with a dark tip.

Range and Habitat

Mangrove Cuckoo: Breeds in southern Florida. A few remain during winter, but most leave for the tropics. Frequents mangrove swamps.

Breeding and Nesting

Mangrove Cuckoo: Two to three light blue eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and leaves, and built from 8 to 10 feet above the ground in a mangrove tree or shrub. Incubation ranges from 9 to 11 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Mangrove Cuckoo: Eats caterpillars, grasshoppers, moths, flies, and other insects; forages in trees and shrubs.

Vocalization

Mangrove Cuckoo: Call is a thick, throaty, and squirrel-like "gah-gah-gah" or "qua-qua-qua."

Similar Species

Mangrove Cuckoo: Yellow-billed and Black-billed cuckoos have white underparts and lack black masks.

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Family Roadrunners and Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Species Coccyzus minor
Length11 - 13 Inches
Wingspan16 Inches

Mangrove Cuckoo

Mangrove Cuckoo: Medium-sized cuckoo with gray-brown upperparts, black ear patch, yellow eye-ring, white throat, and buff-washed white underparts. Long, dark tail has six large white spots underneath, each with a dark spot. Decurved bill is dark above and yellow below with a dark tip.

● Song: "Gah-gah-gah", "qua-qua-qua"

● Foraging & Feeding: Mangrove Cuckoo: Eats caterpillars, grasshoppers, moths, flies, and other insects; forages in trees and shrubs.

● Breeding & nesting: Mangrove Cuckoo: Two to three light blue eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and leaves, and built from 8 to 10 feet above the ground in a mangrove tree or shrub. Incubation ranges from 9 to 11 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Mangrove Cuckoo: Yellow-billed and Black-billed cuckoos have white underparts and lack black masks.

Flight Pattern

Rapid direct flight with quick wing beats.
Mangrove Cuckoo Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Mangrove Cuckoo: Breeds in southern Florida. A few remain during winter, but most leave for the tropics. Frequents mangrove swamps.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester, Sometimes forms loose colonies
PopulationRare to uncommon
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight3.6 Ounces