Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo
Neomorphus geoffroyi
The Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo (Neomorphus geoffroyi) is a rare cuckoo found in 8 countries, weighing about 355 g. The rufous-vented ground cuckoo is a Vulnerable species of cuckoo in the tribe Neomorphini of subfamily Crotophaginae.
About the Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo
The rufous-vented ground cuckoo is a Vulnerable species of cuckoo in the tribe Neomorphini of subfamily Crotophaginae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-vented ground cuckoo is 45 to 51 cm (18 to 20 in) long, about half of which is its tail, and weighs about 300 to 400 g (11 to 14 oz). Adults have a heavy decurved bill that is pale grayish green to horn-colored at its base with a yellow tip. All subspecies have a shaggy, glossy blue-black, erectile crest, bright blue skin surrounding the eye, and a rufous vent area. The sexes have similar plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies N. g. geoffroyi have a cinnamon brown forehead, crown, and lower face; bronzy olive green upperparts and wings; and a glossy purple tail. Voice: The rufous-vented ground cuckoo's principal vocalization is "a low, drawn out, moaning coo: ooooooooooooooooop". At army ant swarms they give "a muffled, barking woof call" and also "a sharp, loud kchak! call", apparently to move other birds away from desired prey.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo?
- The rufous-vented ground cuckoo is 45 to 51 cm (18 to 20 in) long, about half of which is its tail, and weighs about 300 to 400 g (11 to 14 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo?
- The Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo is a large sized bird weighing about 355 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo?
- The Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo occurs in 8 countries, including Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo?
- The Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo is most easily confused with the Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo, the Banded Ground Cuckoo and the Scaled Ground Cuckoo.
Learn the Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo for real
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