Mangrove cuckoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangrove cuckoo |
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Coccyzus
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| Species: |
minor
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The mangrove cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) is a special type of cuckoo bird. It lives in warm, tropical places, mostly near the equator.
Contents
What it Looks Like
Adult mangrove cuckoos have a long tail. It's brown on top and black and white underneath. They have a black, curved beak with yellow on the bottom part. Their head and upper body are brown. You can also spot a yellow ring around their eyes.
One of the easiest ways to tell them apart is their black "mask" on their face and their light brown (buffy) tummy. Even though its scientific name minor means "small," this cuckoo is actually the biggest of the three Coccyzus cuckoos found in North America.
These birds are about 28 to 34 centimeters (11 to 13 inches) long. They weigh between 64 and 102 grams (2.3 to 3.6 ounces). Their wings can spread out to about 38 to 43 centimeters (15 to 17 inches) wide. The most common sound you'll hear from them is a deep "gawk gawk gawk." They also sometimes make a single "whit" sound.
Where it Lives and How it Reproduces
You'll mostly find the mangrove cuckoo living in mangrove swamps. These are special forests that grow in salty water along coastlines. They also live in areas called hammocks, which are small patches of higher land with trees.
When it's time to build a nest, the cuckoo usually picks a mangrove tree. It places its nest about 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) above the water. Sometimes, it will build its nest in the fork of a tree that's above dry ground.
Where in the World Does it Live?
The mangrove cuckoo lives in several places. It can be found in southern Florida in the United States. It also lives across the Caribbean islands. You can see them on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico and Central America. On the Atlantic side of South America, they live as far south as the mouth of the Amazon River.
Generally, this cuckoo is quite common in the specific areas where it lives. However, its home could be at risk. This is because people sometimes build things in the mangrove habitats where these birds live.
What Does it Eat?
The mangrove cuckoo loves to eat caterpillars and grasshoppers. But it also eats other insects, spiders, and even snails. Sometimes, it will snack on small lizards or fruit.
See also
In Spanish: Cuclillo del manglar para niños
