Pavonine Cuckoo
A species of Large American Brood-parasitic Cuckoos Scientific name : Dromococcyx pavoninus Genus : Large American Brood-parasitic Cuckoos
Pavonine Cuckoo, A species of Large American Brood-parasitic Cuckoos
Botanical name: Dromococcyx pavoninus
Genus: Large American Brood-parasitic Cuckoos
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Don Roberson
Description
The head and crest of this bird is rusty brown and the remaining plumage is mainly dark brown above and paler below, with a rich buff coloured supercilium, throat and breast. It is similar in appearance to the pheasant cuckoo but has a slightly different call and is larger overall. Additionally, the buff supercilium, throat and breast of the pheasant cuckoo is paler than in the pavonine cuckoo and the throat and breast of the pheasant cuckoo are heavily marked while those areas of the pavonine cuckoo have no dark spots or streaks.
Size
28 cm
Feeding Habits
Pavonine Cuckoo's diet is mostly composed of insects, particularly orthoptera. Typically found on the ground or in forest understory, pavonine Cuckoo forages and hunts for its prey in these areas.
Habitat
The pavonine Cuckoo is typically found in the understory of humid lowland tropical evergreen forests, montane evergreen forests, and areas of dense secondary woodland characterized by thickets. These environments are distinguished by a rich canopy cover, consistent moisture, and a diverse plant structure that provides the necessary shelter and resources for the pavonine Cuckoo.
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Behavior
Little is known of the behaviour of this widespread, but shy and skulking, bird, which people hear far more often than they see. It appears to be a mainly solitary species. It has a curious appearance when in flight, resembling the flapping wings of a butterfly. The tail is spread and the wingbeats are slow and measured, and there is a brief pause when they are at the top of their beat above the bird.
Distribution Area
The pavonine cuckoo inhabits the understorey of subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests in South America, where it is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. It has a wide range but a patchy distribution, being absent from some areas where it might have been expected to be present.
Species Status
The pavonine cuckoo is listed by the IUCN as being of "Least Concern". No particular threats have been identified and the bird has a wide range and presumed large population. The population trend is likely to be downward but not at such a rate as to justify putting this bird in a more threatened category.
Photo By Don Roberson