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
Coccyzus minor
Mangrove Cuckoo
(Gmelin, 1788)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A slender, medium-sized cuckoo characterized by a brownish-grey crown and upperparts, a distinct dark-grey to black facial mask running through the eye, and warm buffy-yellowish underparts. The long, graduated tail features prominent black undertail feathers tipped with broad white spots, while the slightly downcurved bill is black with a bright yellow base on the lower mandible.
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Anonymous Curator
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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.Coccyzus
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Gmelin, 1788)
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.
Stable
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
Strictly tied to coastal ecosystems, predominantly inhabiting dense mangrove forests, coastal swamp woodlands, hammock environments, and adjacent scrublands or saline thickets along tropical coasts.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
A highly secretive, quiet, and slow-moving bird that is far more frequently heard than seen. It moves stealthily through the dark mid-story of mangroves, avoiding open flight. It vocalizes primarily during the breeding season, producing a distinctive, guttural series of nasal, accelerating notes: 'gaw-gaw-gaw-gaw-gaw-gaw'.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary and territorial outside the nesting cycle. Pairs form close associations during courtship, using low chattering calls to coordinate activities, but they maintain a low profile and do not join mixed-species foraging flocks.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
An opportunistic carnivore specializing in heavy invertebrates. Its diet consists heavily of large caterpillars, grasshoppers, cicadas, and small arboreal crabs (such as fiddler and mangrove crabs), supplemented by tree frogs and small lizards. Predators include coastal raptors, tree boas, and raccoons.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Monogamous nesting pairs build a shallow, flat, relatively loose platform of dry twigs, lined thinly with leaves and roots. The nest is typically positioned on a horizontal mangrove branch close to the water surface (1 to 4 meters high). The female lays 2 to 3 pale blue-green eggs, incubated by both parents.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
28.0 - 34.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
55 g - 75 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 - 3
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).
10 - 12
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 7 Years
Females4 - 7 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
A specialized hunting behavior consisting of sitting completely motionless for long intervals in dense mangrove foliage, blending seamlessly to escape detection by both predators and cryptic prey.
Strong zygodactyl feet that guarantee a firm, stable grip on slippery, salt-encrusted tidal branches and tangled prop roots of red and black mangroves.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Severe destruction and degradation of mangrove ecosystems due to coastal real estate development, aquaculture expansion, and pollution from seaside urban centers.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike the common cuckoos of the Old World, this species builds its own nest and raises its young, completely lacking the brood parasitic behavior popularized by European cuckoos.