Common Squirrel-Cuckoo

The Common Squirrel‑Cuckoo is a long, slender bird with rich rufous upperparts, a grayish throat, and a warm buff belly, giving it a warm, earthy palette that blends beautifully into forest canopies. Its most striking feature is its long, expressive tail—dark with bold white tips—that it flicks and swings as it moves, enhancing its squirrel‑like agility. The bird’s red eye‑ring and slightly decurved bill add subtle accents to its elegant, elongated silhouette.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Common Squirrel-Cuckoo

In Ecuador, the Common Squirrel‑Cuckoo is widespread on both slopes and across lowland, foothill, and montane forests, occurring from near sea level up to roughly 2,500 meters. It is common in a wide range of wooded habitats, including forest edges, secondary growth, gardens, and even semi‑open areas with scattered trees. Its adaptability and conspicuous behavior make it one of the most frequently seen cuckoos in the country.

One of the most delightful facts about this species is the origin of its name: it often bounds and hops through branches with a squirrel‑like gait, using its long tail for balance. It also has a distinctive, loud, rolling call that carries far through the forest and is often one of the first sounds birders learn in the Neotropics. In addition, it frequently joins mixed‑species flocks to snatch insects flushed by other birds, showcasing its opportunistic and energetic foraging style.