I have never seen a yellow-billed cuckoo, except in a clock,
but chances are I never will. They're good at staying hidden, but experts say their numbers in California are dropping fast. That prompts government action so
you, like me, might one day have a chance to see and especially hear this
fascinating species.
To hear these birds, to know their song, is to witness passion
through sound. The experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology also say yellow-billed
cuckoos are fairly easy to hear, but hard to spot.
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| Courtesy: Audubon Society |
In summer, they suggest looking in areas of deciduous forest for infestations of tent caterpillars, as well as outbreaks of cicadas or other large arthropods. Then listen for the species’ distinctive, knocking call, which can be given at any time, night or day. Later in summer, listen more for their dove-like cooing, as they give their knocking call much less frequently.
When the birds have feasted on caterpillars and insects and feel secure, experts say a receptive female may perch with its head up,
pumping its tail slowly up and down in a 180-degree arc. Just prior to mating,
the male yellow-billed cuckoo snaps off a short twig and presents it to the
female as he perches on her back and leans over her shoulder.
Both birds then grasp the twig as they copulate. When they
leave their sheltered perch, the yellow-billed cuckoo’s flight is swift and
direct, with deep beats of their long pointed wings.
In California the birds live in willows along streams. Once
common in the California’s Central Valley, coastal valleys, and riparian
habitats east of the Sierra Nevada, habitat loss now constrains the California
breeding population to small numbers of birds along the Kern, Sacramento,
Feather and Lower Colorado Rivers.
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| Courtesy: http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/ |
The species is
virtually silent by day during migration, so watch for their distinctive long,
slim shape and rapid, fluid wing beats as they cross over open patches below
treetop level on their way from one wood area to another. In fall, areas with
fall webworm infestations often support yellow-billed cuckoos.
Now, the western population of the yellow-billed cuckoo will be
protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.
The Service determined that listing a distinct population
segment (DPS) of the bird in portions of 12 western states, Canada and Mexico
is warranted. In the U.S., the DPS will cover parts of Arizona, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and
Washington.
The western population of the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus
americanus), is found along creeks in woodland areas,
winters in South America and breeds in western North America. Once abundant in
the western United States, populations have declined for several decades,
primarily due to the severe loss, degradation and fragmentation of its riparian
habitat.
“While the major
threat to yellow-billed cuckoos has been loss of riverside habitat, we do not
anticipate any significant new water-related requirements as a result of this
listing decision,” said Ren Lohoefener, Director of the Service’s Pacific
Southwest Region. “The water resource requirements for riparian habitat are not
unique to cuckoos, and in many cases are already being implemented for other
species.”
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| Courtesy: Dan Pancamo |
The Service’s final listing rule will become effective Nov.
3, 2014.
