Latin Etymology: Piaya (Creole name for species) cayana (of Cayenne, French Guiana)
Common Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025
Featured Subspecies: Piaya cayana thermophila
Weight: g/kg / Length: 43-46cm / Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Named for its habit of clambering along branches with little flight involved, the squirrel cuckoo is an insectivore, particularly of larger insects like caterpillars and cicadas, although they will also take small lizards and amphibians. Unlike many cuckoos, they are not brood parasites, but construct their own nests by making a cup of leaves and twigs high in trees.
Related Species:
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genugs: Piaya
SUBSPECIES: P. c. thermophila, P. c. nigricrissa, P. c. mehleri, P. c. mesura, P. c. circe, P. c. cayana, P. c. insulana, P. c. obscura, P. c. hellmayri, P. c. pallescens, P. c. cabanisi, P. c. macroura, P. c. mogenseni
- Sighting Locations -
A common and widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Alajuela
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
No comments:
Post a Comment