Guira Cuckoo
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Guira cuckoos have dark brown, white-striped wings; a long white-tipped tail; and spiky crest feathers. They bear some resemblance to the iconic roadrunner, another member of the cuckoo family. Highly social, these bird are often seen in flocks of six to 20 individuals. They prey on frogs, eggs, insects, and even small mammals, including chicks of other bird species.
Interesting Fact 1
Guira cuckoos breed communally, with several females from a flock laying up to 20 eggs in a single nest.
Interesting Fact 2
Due to aggressive competition between parents within the same nest, only one-fourth of eggs survive to fledging.
Interesting Fact 3
During courtship dances, these birds spread and raise their crest and tail to display their patterned plumage.
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