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*COMMON SQUIRREL CUCKOO  Piaya cayana 40–47cm. Striking cuckoo

of varied forested and wooded habitats, semi-open areas with hedgerows,

scrubby thickets with taller trees, mangroves. Mainly at mid–upper levels,

where can be surprisingly difficult to see; hops and runs along branches and

amid foliage a little like a squirrel. Flights usually short, bursts of wingbeats

alternated with sweeping glides. No similar species in Costa Rica. Juv. has duller

bill and eyes, less white on tail tips. SOUNDS: Sharp, woodpecker-like chik!

sometimes doubled, often followed by overslurred low scream, chik! reowh;

gruff, slightly raspy stuttering ehk’ehr-rrer. Song (mainly spring–summer) a

usually fairly steady-paced, often prolonged series of overslurred sharp whistles, wheep wheep..., typically

10 notes/5.5–8 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, rarely to 2400m. (Mexico to S America.)

STRIPED CUCKOO  Tapera naevia 28–30.5cm. Open and semi-open areas

with brushy thickets, second growth, overgrown grassy fields, forest edge; brood

parasite of various species with domed nests. Rarely seen unless singing, when

often perches on fence post, roadside wires, in trees; otherwise on or near ground

in cover. Distinctive, with striped upperparts, erectile spiky crest (raised and

lowered when singing), plain pale underparts; black ‘wrist flags’ rarely visible,

flashed in display. SOUNDS: Song (spring–summer) far-carrying, a clear, deliberate

double whistle, easily imitated, wheee whee, 2nd note slightly higher; less often

longer series, whee’ whee’ whee’ whee’buh, and variations. STATUS: Uncommon to

fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1500m; spreading with deforestation.

(Mexico to S America.)

PHEASANT CUCKOO  Dromococcyx phasianellus 35.5–37cm. Rarely seen,

distinctive cuckoo of lowland forest and edge, adjacent taller second growth;

brood parasite, mainly of flycatchers with enclosed nests. Usually goes un­

detected unless singing, when often perches high in trees; otherwise usually on

or near ground, where elusive. Flight direct, wingbeats mostly below body

plane. Distinctive, with small head, slender bill, pointed crest, long expansive

tail. Cf. juv. with juv. Striped Cuckoo. SOUNDS: Song (spring–summer) far-

carrying, typically 3 deliberate, haunting whistles with tinamou-like quality, the

last variably quavering, whee whee wheerr; less often longer series, accelerating

overall and rising slightly, whee-whee whee’whee-bee, and variations. STATUS: Scarce and local on Pacific

slope, to 1400m. (Mexico to S America.)

LESSER GROUND CUCKOO  Morococcyx erythropygus 25–27cm. Small,

retiring, terrestrial cuckoo of dry forest, plantations, adjacent brushy thickets.

Heard far more often than seen. Forages on ground, walking at times with

agonizingly slow, deliberate gait, and often freezes when alarmed. Sings from

ground or low perch in bush. Distinctive, with colorful face and rich buffy-

cinnamon underparts. Juv. duller overall, outer tail feathers tipped buff.

SOUNDS: Song an arresting series of (usually about 20–35) loud burry whistles

that starts slowly, builds into a fairly rapid series, and tails off with increasingly

slower-spaced whistles, preee, preee, prreee, prree-prree..., preee, prreee, prree. Also

a single, mournful, slightly burry whieeuh and bill snapping when agitated. STATUS: Fairly common on n.

Pacific slope, locally to 1200m in w. Central Valley. (Mexico to Costa Rica.)

RUFOUS-VENTED GROUND CUCKOO  Neomorphus geoffroyi 46–51cm.

Spectacular but rarely seen inhabitant of humid forest, where walks and runs

stealthily on ground; rarely perches in low understory. Attends army ant swarms

to hunt prey flushed by ants, where sometimes juv. accompanies adults. Despite

its size, can be frustratingly shy and elusive. Unmistakable, if you’re lucky

enough to see it, with bushy erectile crest, stout pale yellowish bill, black breast

band, long tail glossed purple to green. Juv. dark overall, with muted adult

pattern. SOUNDS:  Song a low moaning coo that swells and ends abruptly,

whooooOOo, 1.5–2 secs, repeated every few secs; could be passed over as a dove.

Loud bill snaps and rattles often given. STATUS: Scarce on Caribbean slope, mainly 400–1600m; spills

over to adjacent n. Pacific foothills. (Honduras to S America.)