Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Status Uncommon vagrant. Although Blakiston and Bland (1856) thought it nested in the province, and Downs (1888) made vague references to a nest, these reports are not supported by other nineteenth-century accounts. Up to 1960 it had been reported some 30 times, but many more records have accumulated since. A few occur in spring (earliest 29 April, latest 22 June); more appear as reverse migrants in autumn, sometimes in numbers suggesting a widespread incursion. First appearances are generally in August or early September (average 4 September, earliest 14 July). Peak numbers are usually reported for September or October, and some appear or remain quite late (average 27 October, latest 18 November). A corpse at Wolfville on 1 January 1955 had been dead for some weeks.

Description Length: 20-33 cm. Adults: Light cinnamon-brown above; all white below; long tail with outer feathers black, broadly tipped with white. Bill curved, the lower mandible yellow.

Range Breeds from southern British Columbia, North Dakota, southern Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, south to Mexico and the West Indies. Winters from Central America to parts of South America.

Remarks In size, shape and general habits, this long, slender, slow-moving bird closely resembles its near relative the Black-billed Cuckoo, the only species in Nova Scotia with which it might be confused. The yellow on the lower mandible, the chestnut in the wings seen in flight and the conspicuous white trimmings on the tail of this bird are field marks that help distinguish it. It shows a marked preference for thick shrubbery and when seen is usually skulking about silently at low levels.