Image © Lance Degilbo
(Creative Commons License)
Nomenclature
Scientific Name: Dromococcyx phasianellus
Name in Spanish (Mexico): Cuclillo Faisán
Name in Mayan (if known):
ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: PHCU
Family: Cuculidae - Cuckoos and Allies
About this Species
The Pheasant Cuckoo (Dromococcyx phasianellus) is a medium-sized cuckoo with a distinctive pheasant-like appearance, which includes a long, slender tail and a brown and buff plumage. The Pheasant Cuckoo prefers to inhabit the dense undergrowth of tropical forests, where it feeds on insects and small vertebrates, such as lizards and frogs.
The breeding season of the Pheasant Cuckoo typically occurs from March to June, during which time males engage in courtship displays to attract females. Females lay their eggs in nests built by other bird species, such as woodpeckers or termites. The Pheasant Cuckoo has a unique adaptation where it lays eggs that mimic the color and pattern of the host's eggs, which helps to prevent the host from rejecting the cuckoo's egg.
The Pheasant Cuckoo is a relatively common bird in the Yucatan Peninsula, although its population has declined in some areas due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts are currently underway to protect this unique and beautiful species, which plays an important role in the ecosystem of the Yucatan Peninsula.
*Occurrence and Distribution in the Yucatan Peninsula
RESIDENCY STATUS: Yearround Resident
FREQUENCY STATUS: Fairly Common in the...
DISTRIBUTION TRENDS: Highest populations are in the ...
*This information was gathered from eBird (www.ebird.org)