Pheasant Cuckoo
Dromococcyx phasianellus
The Pheasant Cuckoo (Dromococcyx phasianellus) is a rare cuckoo found in 17 countries, weighing about 85 g. The pheasant cuckoo is a species of neotropical cuckoo in the subfamily Neomorphinae of the family Cuculidae.
About the Pheasant Cuckoo
The pheasant cuckoo is a species of neotropical cuckoo in the subfamily Neomorphinae of the family Cuculidae. It is native to Central and South America where it occurs in lowland tropical forest.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The pheasant cuckoo is a large cuckoo with a short crest tipped with rusty brown. The bird's upper parts are dark sooty-brown and the underparts are pale buff with small black streaks on the breast. The feathers of the large tail are of varying lengths, with the central ones being the longest. The call consists of two short whistles, the second being of higher pitch, followed by a trill "whee! whee! wheerr-rr". It can be sung from low, medium, or high perches or from the ground.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in March. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pheasant Cuckoo?
- The pheasant cuckoo is a large cuckoo with a short crest tipped with rusty brown. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pheasant Cuckoo?
- The Pheasant Cuckoo is a medium sized bird weighing about 85 g.
- Where can you see a Pheasant Cuckoo?
- The Pheasant Cuckoo occurs in 17 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Panama and Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Pheasant Cuckoo?
- The Pheasant Cuckoo is most easily confused with the Pavonine Cuckoo.
- Is the Pheasant Cuckoo endangered?
- The Pheasant Cuckoo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pheasant Cuckoo for real
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