Scaled Ground Cuckoo
Neomorphus squamiger
Scaled Ground Cuckoo (Neomorphus squamiger) — Cuckoos & Turacos of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo (Neomorphus squamiger) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 355 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Neomorphus
- Species squamiger
Quick facts
- Weight
- 355 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo (Neomorphus squamiger) is a member of the Cuculidae family, within the order Cuculiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Brazil and sc Amazonia (lower Rio Tapajós).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 355 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 26 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Scaled Ground Cuckoo?
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is a large bird that weighs around 355 g.
Where does the Scaled Ground Cuckoo live?
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is found across South America with a range covering SA Brazil and sc Amazonia (lower Rio Tapajós), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Scaled Ground Cuckoo belong to?
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo (Neomorphus squamiger) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Scaled Ground Cuckoo eat?
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Scaled Ground Cuckoo migrate?
The Scaled Ground Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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