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The Curved-Billed Song Birds, particularly the Cuckoos, of which their are three in North America, are all three elongated birds with long, spotted tails. Two of these species, those that are named for the color of their bills (Yellow or Black) are spread throughout the south west. The third species, the Mangrove Cuckoo is only found among the coastal mangroves within southwest Florida.
All three of the Cuckoo family species are in the Order Cuculiformes, the Family Cuculidae and the Genus Coccyzus.
Other birds in the same order Cuculiformes include the anis, couas, coucals, koels, malkohas and roadrunners.
Black-billed Cuckoo
These species forage in shrubs or trees. They mainly eat insects, especially tent caterpillars, but also some snails, eggs of other birds, and berries.
Conservation Status:
LC
Order:
Cuculiformes
Family:
Cuculidae
Genus:
Coccyzus
Species:
erythropthalmus
Description
The black-bellied cuckoo has a slightly down curved black bill and a narrow, red orbital eye ring. The head and upper body parts are brown and the body underneath is white. There are small white spots on a gray under-tail.
The feet are zygodactylous, meaning two forward and to rearward.
The red eye ring is a good indicator for adult birds as the juvenile have pale yellow eye rings. Too, juveniles are drabber and may have some rufous color on the wings but not have tail spots.
Length:
12 inches
Habitat
Usually found in more northerly and higher elevations, especially when ranges overlap with Yellow-billed cuckoos. These birds prefer wooded areas across the continent and upon beginning their breeding activities, the black-billed cuckoo are not seen in their migrating areas.
Range
Migration (fall and spring):
During migration, the black-billed cuckoo can be seen as far south as Central America. Although primarily an eastern North American species, there has been confirmed reports of sightings in British Columbia, Washington, California and has been a rare vagrant to western Europe and Greenland.
Coastal Plains Region from North Carolina through Texas (except Florida) and south into Mexico, Caribbean.
Great Plains Region from Texas to Canada and west to the edge of the Rocky Mountains.
Extreme Lower
Appalachian Mountains Region
Breeding season (summer):
Coastal Plains Region from Virginia to New Brunswick
Interior Lowlands Region from Texas to Lower AB, SK, MG.
Appalachian Mountains
Also north above the Great Lakes a short distance onto the
Canadian Shield
Wintering season:
Northwest South America
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