Pheasant Cuckoo
Dromococcyx phasianellus
Very retiring and elusive cuckoo of tropical forest, heard far more often than seen. Sings mainly in spring and summer, and at other times appears absent from areas where it may actually be fairly common. Feeds mostly on the ground, walking stealthily, but usually sings from mid-upper levels in trees, when it is most likely to be seen. Oddly shaped, with small head (rusty crest often raised and lowered) and very long, fan-shaped, (‘pheasant-like’) tail.
Identification
The pheasant cuckoo is a large cuckoo with a short crest tipped with rusty brown. The bird's upper parts are dark sooty-brown and the underparts are pale buff with small black streaks on the breast. The feathers of the large tail are of varying lengths, with the central ones being the longest. The call consists of two short whistles, the second being of higher pitch, followed by a trill "whee! whee! wheerr-rr". It can be sung from low, medium, or high perches or from the ground.
Taxonomy
Genus: Dromococcyx; Family: Cuculidae; Order: Cuculiformes.
- Scientific name
- Dromococcyx phasianellus
- Authority
- (Spix, 1824)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Dromococcyx
Range and habitat
The bird's natural habitat is the understorey of tropical lowland evergreen forest, riverine forest, and tropical deciduous forest, from the sea level up to 1600 m. It is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Orange-cheeked Parrot
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Flame-fronted Barbet
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Medium-sized foothill-dweller, generally limited to forests and woodlands between 600 and 2500 meters. Endemic to Java, where its combination of a bright yellow-orange forehead, powder-blue hindcrown, and orange “bowtie” is unique. Widespread and not uncommon, but like other barbets, can be difficult to spot. Gives a series of knocking trills, typically with two short bursts before one long one.
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