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Cocos Island Cuckoo

Physical Characteristics
 

  • It is around 32 cm in length

  • Weighs around 70 grams

  • Adult has greyish-brown underparts

  • Long graduated tail has white-tipped rectrices

  • Underparts are buff

    • Slightly paler chin and throat

  • Head, crown, and forehead are gray

  • Bill has a black upper mandible and a yellow lower mandible with blackt tip

  • Both genders are similar

  • Juvenile gets the adult tail pattern during the first winter

Habitat
 

  • Found on Cocos Island

  • Is found in:

    • Second growth forests

    • Along streams

    • Tropical lowland forests

    • Hibiscus thickets

Songs and Calls
 

  • Its call is a "kcha" repeated several times.

  • Also gives a "k'k'k'k'k'ru'hoo."

  • These calls are used to attract a mate

 

Behavior
 

  • Feeds on different insects

    • Can be large insects

  • Searches for prey by hopping and running through thick vegetation

  • Breeding behavior is unknown

  • Displays seem more active from December to late February

    • This is when they build their nest

Other Facts
 

  • Its Latin name is Coccyzus ferrugineus

  • They are threatened by introducted animals which destroy their habitat and nests

    • The Cocos Island Cuckoo is classified as vulnerable

 

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