Appearance
Adults have a long tail, brown above and black-and-white below, and a black curved bill with yellow on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown. There is a yellow ring around the eye. This bird is best distinguished by its black facial mask and buffy underparts. Although the scientific name is "minor", this species is on average the largest of North America's three "Coccyzus" cuckoos. Adults measure 28–34 cm in length, weigh 64–102 g and span 38–43 cm across the wings.
Status
The mangrove cuckoo is generally fairly common in its specialized range. This bird could be threatened by human development of mangrove habitat.
Behavior
The most common call heard is a guttural “gawk gawk gawk gawk gauk gauk”. It will also call a single “whit”.
Habitat
This cuckoo is found primarily in mangrove swamps and hammocks. It usually nests 2–3 metres above water in a mangrove tree or in a fork of a tree above ground. The nest is a relatively flat platform of twigs and leaves. The female lays 2-4 eggs with both adults sharing in feeding the young bird.Food
It prefers caterpillars and grasshoppers, but will also take other insects, spiders, snails, small lizards, and fruit.References:
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