Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen during the summer months, particularly in the southern regions, and is often associated with woodland edges and dense vegetation. It is a notable species due to its distinctive call and elusive nature, making sightings a thrilling experience for British birdwatchers.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the field.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be identified by its grey-brown back, white underside, and distinctive yellow bill, as well as its long, rounded tail and wing bars. Its size and shape, combined with its bold, black-and-white pattern on its breast, make it a unique sight.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is slightly larger than a Blue Tit, but smaller than a Starling, with a slender build that allows it to navigate through dense foliage with ease.
The male Yellow-billed Cuckoo has a grey-brown back, white underside, and black-and-white pattern on its breast, with a distinctive yellow bill that gives the species its name, and its plumage remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
The female Yellow-billed Cuckoo is similar to the male in terms of plumage, with no significant differences in colour or pattern, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on visual cues alone.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo's call is a distinctive, low-pitched "ku-koo-koo" or "cuc-cuc-cuc", often repeated in a series of notes that can be heard on hot summer days, sometimes presaging rain showers or thunderstorms.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is an insectivorous species that feeds on caterpillars, insects, and spiders, often foraging in dense vegetation and flying with a swift, direct motion, and its habit of calling on hot days can be a notable behavioural trait.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be confused with other cuckoo species, such as the Black-billed Cuckoo, but can be distinguished by its yellow bill, grey-brown back, and black-and-white breast pattern, as well as its distinctive call and larger size.
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