Mangrove Cuckoo Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMangrove Cuckoo
Adult
Long and slender with a stout bill that is yellow below and black above. Brown above with a peachy wash below. Note dark face mask.
© Aaron Juan / Macaulay LibraryStann Creek, January 25, 2021Adult
Long and slender with a long tail that has large white spots as seen from below.
© Aaron Juan / Macaulay LibraryStann Creek, December 15, 2018Adult
Often secretive and difficult to see. Sings a guttural "coo."
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 09, 1994Adult
Individuals show variation in plumage color. Those in the Lesser Antilles tend to be more cinnamon below.
© ryan doherty / Macaulay LibraryCastries, February 16, 2016Habitat
Breeds in mangroves and woodland scrub. Perches motionless in thick vegetation where it can be hard to spot. Note yellow lower bill, peachy wash on belly and large white tail spots.
© Tommy Pedersen / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 12, 2016Similar SpeciesYellow-billed Cuckoo
Adult
Yellow-billed Cuckoos have entirely white underparts while Mangrove Cuckoos have peachy underparts. The bill on Yellow-billed Cuckoos is entirely yellow, but is bicolored on Mangrove Cuckoos.
© Benjamin Murphy / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, June 08, 2013Similar SpeciesBlack-billed Cuckoo
Adult
Black-billed Cuckoos have entirely white underparts while Mangrove Cuckoos have peachy underparts. The bill on black-billed Cuckoos is entirely black, but is bicolored on Mangrove Cuckoos.
© Christopher Sloan / Macaulay LibraryTennessee, May 13, 2017
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