Photo: ssaarlas / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Coccyzus rufigularis
Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) — Cuckoos & Turacos of North America.
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 128 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Coccyzus
- Species rufigularis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 128 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) belongs to the Cuculidae family of the order Cuculiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA Hispaniola.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 128 g, with a wing length of about 18.1 cm and a tail of around 27 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1,133 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Bay-breasted Cuckoo?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 128 g.
Where does the Bay-breasted Cuckoo live?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo is found across North America with a range covering NA Hispaniola, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Bay-breasted Cuckoo belong to?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus rufigularis) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Bay-breasted Cuckoo eat?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Bay-breasted Cuckoo migrate?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Bay-breasted Cuckoo endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Bay-breasted Cuckoo make?
1 real field recording of the Bay-breasted Cuckoo — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Bay-breasted Cuckoo's range?
The Bay-breasted Cuckoo has a mapped global range of about 1,133 km².
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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