the mangrove cuckoo (coccyzus minor) is a species of cuckoo that is native to the neotropics .
adults have a long tail , brown above and black-and-white below , and a black curved bill with yellow on the lower mandible .
the head and upper parts are brown .
there is a yellow ring around the eye .
this bird is best distinguished by its black facial mask and buffy underparts .
although the scientific name is minor (meaning "small"), this species is on average the largest of north america's three coccyzus cuckoos .
adults measure 2834 cm (1113 in) in length , weigh 64102 g (2.33.6 oz) and span 3843 cm (1517 in) across the wings .
this cuckoo is found primarily in mangrove swamps and hammocks .
it usually nests 23 metres (6.69.8 ft) above water in a mangrove tree or in a fork of a tree above ground .
the nest is a relatively flat platform of twigs and leaves .
the female lays 2-4 eggs with both adults sharing in feeding the young bird .
the mangrove cuckoo is a resident of southern florida in the united states , the bahamas , the caribbean , both coasts of mexico and central america , and the atlantic coast of south america as far south as the mouth of the amazon river .
it prefers caterpillars and grasshoppers , but will also take other insects , spiders , snails , small lizards , and fruit .
the most common call heard is a guttural gawk gawk gawk gawk gauk gauk .
it will also call a single whit .
the mangrove cuckoo is generally fairly common in its specialized range .
this bird could be threatened by human development of mangrove habitat .
