Order
Cuculiformes
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Morococcyx
 
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Version 1.0

This is a historic version of this account.  Current version

SPECIES

Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus

Carlos A. Soberanes-González, Claudia I. Rodríguez-Flores, Marîa del Coro Arizmendi, Guy M. Kirwan, and Thomas S. Schulenberg
Version: 1.0 — Published November 22, 2013

Behavior

Introduction

There is little detailed information on the behavior of Lesser Ground-Cuckoo. As its English name suggests, this species is terrestrial. This cuckoo walks along the ground, picking for food at the substrate or occasionally leaping up to snatch prey from low foliage (Skutch 1966). The posture usually is upright, with the tail cocked at an acute angle (Dickey and van Rossem 1938). In alarm, may freeze, and become difficult to see (Howell and Webb 1995); or "may remain motionless until nearly stepped on, when, suddenly coming to life, they walk about in a seemingly stupid and erratic manner just out of arm's reach" (Dickey and van Rossem 1938). Often is "furtive and skulking", but can be inquisitive and is not shy (Stiles and Skutch 1989); indeed, Dickey and van Rossem (1938) describe them as "exceedingly tame". Flies a short distance when flushed, and enters cover (Dickey and van Rossem 1938, Stiles and Skutch 1989, Howell and Webb 1995).

Territoriality

There are no published data on territorial defense, maintenance, or fidelity, or of home range size, for Lesser Ground-Cuckoo.

Sexual Behavior

Little information; presumably is at least socially monogamous.

Social and interspecific behavior

Lesser Ground-Cuckoo typically is solitary or in pairs (Stiles and Skutch 1989).

Predation

No reports of predation on Lesser Ground-Cuckoo?

Recommended Citation

Soberanes-González, C. A., C. I. Rodríguez-Flores, M. d. C. Arizmendi, G. M. Kirwan, and T. S. Schulenberg (2013). Lesser Ground-Cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.legcuc1.01