Anguilla Backyard Birding - Part 2
The Cuckoos
To say the cuckoo is an elusive bird is an understatement. Of the land birds on Anguilla, it is one of the most difficult to see. It is generally heard before it is seen, and I can best describe the call as something out of the Amazon jungle.
This widespread species is a breeding resident of Anguilla. The striking eye mask and buffy underparts are a dead giveaway for this bird. The long black tail has white tips.
Although the Mangrove Cuckoo breeds on Anguilla, I have never seen a nest. It seems I am not alone.
According to Birds of the World, the nest is constructed by both parents in the dense bush with twigs and is lined with plant material. 2-3 bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated by both parents over 10 to 13 days. Unlike other cuckoo species, there is no reported brood parasitism.
I often see juvenile birds with their parents in the spring. They have a muted feather pattern and lack a distinctive mask.
I am lucky to have two pairs that breed in my yard each year. They seem to appreciate the native trees and reward me with their antics. I still run with my camera whenever I hear their call!
The Fall of 2021 brought a “Lifer” into my yard. At first, I caught the bird out of the corner of my eye as it flew past me into the bush. I initially thought it was a Mangrove Cuckoo, but the call was very different.
When I found it perched, the underparts were white, and the upper feathers were brown. No eye mask was present, but it was too brown overall to be a juvenile Mangrove Cuckoo.
As it repositioned on the branch, the rufous wing primaries showed, and I knew it was a Yellow-billed. It was an extraordinary addition to my life list.
It turned out that 2021 was a busy year for this species in Anguilla. I subsequently spotted two birds on Forest Bay Pond during one of my citizen science counts. I also had enquires from residents asking for an identification of the same species.
In 2022, I spotted one bird in my yard, but I didn’t have a camera to record the event. It’s shocking, I know!
For a brief look at the Mangrove Cuckoo in action, visit my YouTube channel at the link below.
