Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Morococcyx erythropygus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="morococcyx-erythropygus"></birdfyi-bird>About
Lesser Ground-cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) — 28 cm. Brown above; chestnut rump; whitish underparts; bare blue orbital skin. Inhabits dry and semi-arid scrub from Mexico to Costa Rica. Non-parasitic; builds its own nest in low shrubs. Runs on the ground hunting large insects, lizards, and amphibians. Monotypic genus endemic to Mesoamerica.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 19.8 cm | 7.8 in |
| Weight | 66.6 g | 2.35 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Greater Roadrunner: boldly streaked brown above; white-cream below with dark streaks; long tail; shaggy crest; bare facial skin; fast runner
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes (Cuckoos) |
| Family | Cuculidae (Cuckoos) |
| Genus | Morococcyx |
| Species | Morococcyx erythropygus |
Distribution
Lesser Ground-cuckoo has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lesser Ground-cuckoo endangered?
How does the Lesser Ground-cuckoo nest?
What does the Lesser Ground-cuckoo sound like?
How big is the Lesser Ground-cuckoo?
What order and family does the Lesser Ground-cuckoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Cuculidae family