Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo
Piaya mexicana
Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya mexicana) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya mexicana) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 102 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Piaya
- Species mexicana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 102 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya mexicana) is a member of the Cuculidae family, within the order Cuculiformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA w Mexico.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 102 g, with a wing length of about 14.8 cm and a tail of around 28.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 280,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 102 g.
Where does the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo live?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA w Mexico, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo belong to?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya mexicana) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo eat?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo migrate?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo's range?
The Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo has a mapped global range of about 280,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Cuculidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Cuckoos & Turacos
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern