Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo
A species of Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo, Also known as Long-tailed Cuckoo Scientific name : Urodynamis taitensis Genus : Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo
Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo, A species of Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo
Also known as:
Long-tailed Cuckoo
Botanical name: Urodynamis taitensis
Genus: Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Lars Petersson
Description
The long-tailed cuckoo has a length of approximately 40–42 cm; wingspan of approximately 47–52 cm and weighs about 120 grams. Large cuckoo with broad pointed wings, very long tail and softly rounded at the tip, and short stout with two coloured bill, both slightly hooked tip. Brown barring to Brown upperparts, and dark streaking to white underparts. Both males and females share similar features. Young cuckoo is very different from adult: it is spotted, and buff underneath and on sides of head and neck. Adult Top of head and hindneck, dark brown, boldly streaked buff. Supercilium, White's, bordered below by bold dark-brown eye stripe continuing downsides of neck, cheeks, chin, throat and foreneck, whites with thin brown stripes and fine black streaking on near neck and throat. The remainder of the upperparts are brown with white spotting on wing. Tail is tipped white. The underbody is white with course black brown streaking. Legs and feet are gray to green.
Size
23 - 41 cm
Feeding Habits
Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo primarily consume insects, but their diet includes bird eggs, nestlings, and adult birds, as well as lizards. They occasionally savor fruits and seeds. Notably, pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo exhibit kleptoparasitism, feeding on the provisions gathered by host parents for their young.
Habitat
Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo thrives primarily in dense forests, ranging from lowlands to mountainous terrains. These forests typically feature a closed canopy with trees such as beech, broadleaf species, podocarps, or a combination thereof. In some regions, pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo also inhabits forest ridges with understories of shrubs and is occasionally found near pine plantations. While pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo generally prefers native forests, they can adapt to diverse vegetation, including manuka shrubs along riversides and mountainous zones. They are also known to occupy human-altered landscapes such as agricultural lands, suburban gardens, and even parks within residential areas. Their habitat spans across multiple Pacific islands, where they can be seen in gardens and coconut plantations in addition to lowland forests.
Dite type
Omnivorous
General Info
Behavior
Long-tailed cuckoo have many partners during their lifetime. They mate and break-up easily. Males gain attraction from females through spanning their wings and fluttering them whilst calling. Male cuckoo have a high pitched sound and they are very territorial. You will hear them calling either to make known their territory to other birds or as a call for a mate. Female cuckoo are similar in their vocal intensity. Their behaviour is sexual and combative when mating. Male often display their wings or their ability to fly well when looking for a mate.
Distribution Area
Endemic to New Zealand. In New Zealand they can be found on little barrier island, the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, Nelson, and throughout the central North Island.
Photo By Lars Petersson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Cuckoos and Relatives Family
Cuckoos Species
Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo