AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Piaya cayana
Squirrel Cuckoo
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A large, strikingly beautiful cuckoo with an exceptionally long, graduated tail. The upperparts and head are a vibrant chestnut-rufous, contrasting with a pale grey throat and breast, and a dark grey to blackish lower belly. The underside of the tail features dramatic black-and-white banding, complemented by a greenish-yellow bill and a bare, ruby-red orbital ring.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Cuculiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Cuculidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Piaya
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Linnaeus, 1766)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Highly adaptable, inhabiting a wide variety of wooded environments including lowland tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, gallery woodlands, secondary growth, and dense suburban parks. It strictly occupies the canopy and middle stories of trees, avoiding open terrain.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Strictly arboreal bird that spends its day creeping through vines and dense tree crowns. Flight is heavy and straight, typically consisting of brief glides from one tree to another. It produces a wide array of loud calls, most notably an explosive, harsh, repeating 'chlee-p!' or 'jee-aa!' that resonates across the forest.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Generally solitary or found in pairs moving together through the canopy. They are territorial but non-aggressive towards other bird species, and occasionally follow mixed-species foraging flocks, using the flock's movement to capture flushed insects.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Arboreal carnivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Primarily an insectivore specializing in large prey. It searches foliage for massive green caterpillars, tarantulas, stick insects, grasshoppers, and beetles, occasionally taking small tree frogs and lizards. It is targeted by forest falcons, hawk-eagles, and large arboreal snakes.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Non-parasitic cuckoo that forms stable monogamous pairs. They construct a relatively flimsy, cup-shaped nest out of loose twigs, lined with green leaves, hidden deep inside dense epiphytes or vines up to 12 meters high. The female lays 2 white eggs, and both parents share incubation and nestling care.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
40.0 - 50.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
95 g - 120 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
11 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
18 - 22
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males5 - 8 Years
Females5 - 8 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
An elongated, lightweight body and a massive, flexible tail that acts as a precision rudder, enabling it to execute rapid, agile leaps through tangled canopy branches.
Cryptic coloration that mimics arboreal mammals like squirrels, allowing it to move unnoticed by potential prey while foraging in dappled forest sunlight.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Deforestation and fragmentation of primary and secondary forests due to logging and urbanization, which limits the continuous canopy corridors required for its specialized movement.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
It gets its common name because it rarely flies across long distances; instead, it leaps and runs along branches with fluid, mammal-like movements, trailing its long tail exactly like a tree squirrel.