Pavonine Cuckoo
NamePavonine Cuckoo
Common NamePavonine Cuckoo
Scientific NameDromococcyx pavoninus
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)42.5
Length (cm)27
Weight (g)55
Plumage DetailsThe head features a prominent rufous or chestnut crown and nape. The upperparts, including the back and wings, are dark brown with distinct white or buff scaling and barring, giving a patterned appearance. The underparts are whitish, sometimes with faint streaking on the flanks. The long, graduated tail is dark brown with noticeable white spots on the outer tail feathers, and it has a pale yellow iris.
Vocalization / CallIts call is a distinctive, often mournful or whistled 'pee-ooo' or 'whee-oo' that descends in pitch, sometimes repeated. It can also produce a series of clear, fluty whistles.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in South America, primarily in the Amazon basin, extending from Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, and also in the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.
Identifying Featuresrufous crown, scaled dark brown upperparts, long, graduated tail with white spots, pale yellow iris, distinctive whistled call
Description
This medium-sized cuckoo is characterized by its rufous crown, scaled dark brown upperparts, and long, graduated tail spotted with white. It is a shy, terrestrial bird of humid forests, often heard more than seen due to its distinctive whistled call.
