ID Keys: Thicker bill than other cuckoos, black and white tail with
dark edge, buffy belly, brownish upperparts, two-tone bill
The
Mangrove Cuckoo is a well-named species that occupies mangrove stands in
Florida in the U.S., as well as mangroves and other forest types in the
tropics of the Northern Hemisphere. They are a difficult bird for
people to spot, as they are often found in very dense vegetation, and prefer
tropical forested habitats that are sometimes difficult to investigate.
They are typically heard much more often than they are seen.
Habitat
Found in in mangrove forests in the U.S.
part of its range, as well as in some tropical hardwood species. In
the rest of its tropical range, the Mangrove Cuckoo is found in mangroves,
but also in other types of woodlands. Not necessarily always found
near water in the tropics, with some birds nesting far from water sources.
Diet
Feeds on insects and spiders, with a
particular preference for caterpillars, like other cuckoo species.
They will also sometimes feed on small vertebrates such as small frogs, and
sometimes will feed on vegetative material such as fruits and berries.
Behavior
Moves slowly through the branches and
foliage of trees and shrubs, searching for insects.
Nesting
The nest of a Mangrove Cuckoo is in a
mangrove tree or other small tree, typically relatively close to the ground
or water. The nest is a simple stick platform, upon which the female
lays 2 or 3 eggs. Both parents help to incubate the eggs, and both
parents help to feed the young after they hatch.
Song
The song of a Mangrove Cuckoo is a nasal
repeating series of notes that slowly speeds up, and end with a pair of
lower, longer tones.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident
throughout its tropical range. They were once considered only a summer
visitor in Florida. However, they have increasingly been identified
during the winter months, and it may just be that overwintering birds are
rarely seen due to the birds' habits and the dense habitat they typically
occupy. There's little doubt that some birds are migratory, given that stray
birds are sometimes seen in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
