Guira Cuckoo

Identification

The Guira Cuckoo is a distinctive 34 cm bird with unmistakable field marks that make it relatively easy to identify. It features dark brown upperparts heavily streaked with white, contrasting with whitish-buff underparts, throat, breast and rump. Most striking is its prominent orange-rufous crest, which rises noticeably from the crown. The tail is long and broad, dark brown with a white tip, while the legs are dark gray. The eyes and beak are yellow to orange, surrounded by a thin ring of bare yellow skin around the eye that provides an intense, alert expression. Males and females are very similar, though females are slightly larger; juveniles resemble adults closely.

The bird's call is perhaps its most unmistakable feature—a long, shrill sound somewhere between a whistle and a wail that carries across open country. Like other members of its subfamily, the Guira Cuckoo emits a strong, pungent odor that can help with identification in the field.

Range & Habitat

This gregarious species is found widely across northeastern, eastern and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and northeastern Argentina. The Guira Cuckoo is a bird of open and semi-open habitats, particularly favoring pastures and wetlands. Its range has expanded significantly due to deforestation, as clearing of forests creates the open habitat it prefers. Within its distribution, it is commonly seen in suburban parks and gardens, making it accessible to travelers visiting populated areas.

Behaviour & Diet

The Guira Cuckoo is not a particularly adept flier and typically only flies for short distances, preferring instead to glide or hop from perch to perch while vocalizing loudly. Although primarily arboreal, it frequently forages on the ground, sometimes alone but often in flocks of up to 18 individuals. It sometimes associates with other similarly-behaving birds such as the Smooth-billed Ani. Unlike many Old World cuckoos, this species does not practice brood parasitism or kleptoparasitism.

As an opportunistic predator, the Guira Cuckoo feeds on a diverse range of small prey gathered from the ground or among branches, including worms, insects and other arthropods, tadpoles and frogs, eggs, small birds (especially nestlings), small mammals such as mice, and lizards.

Best Time & Places to See It

The Guira Cuckoo is commonly seen throughout its range in open habitats such as pastures and wetlands. Its preference for open country and suburban settings makes it relatively accessible to travelers. The bird's loud, distinctive calls and gregarious nature mean that flocks are often detected by ear before being spotted visually, and once located, they are generally fairly approachable.

Photography Tips

The Guira Cuckoo's striking crest and bold field marks make it an attractive photography subject. Look for flocks in open pastures and parks where there is clear sight-lines. The bird's habit of vocalizing loudly and hopping between perches provides opportunities for both perched and behavioral shots. Its yellow eye-ring and orange-rufous crest are particularly photogenic features. Early morning activity in open habitats will provide the best lighting conditions for capturing this colorful and expressive cuckoo.