{"id":9332,"date":"2021-08-22T13:15:23","date_gmt":"2021-08-22T13:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9332"},"modified":"2021-08-24T07:09:33","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T07:09:33","slug":"where-do-cuckoos-go-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/where-do-cuckoos-go-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Do Cuckoos Go In Winter?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cuckoo birds<\/a> can be found throughout the world, but they aren\u2019t found in their native habitats in every season. So, where do cuckoos go in the winter? What are their migration habits, why do they migrate, and how far are they willing to travel to reach their destination? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer all of these questions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Do Cuckoos Stay in the U.S.?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are three main species of cuckoo found in the U.S., two of which are known to migrate. These are the American yellow-billed cuckoo and the black-billed cuckoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both American yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos migrate to Center and South America during the winter.<\/strong> Those that live far in the north may simply move to the southern parts of the U.S. rather than going all the way to South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elusive mangrove cuckoo, the third species in the U.S., is only found in swampy regions along the coast of Florida. This species is believed to stay put year-round<\/strong>, as no migrational habits or patterns have ever been observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule of thumb, cuckoos stay in their native habitat as long as the weather is warm. When they can sense the seasons changing, they will begin their migration southward, seeking milder climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of where they are found in the world, cuckoos generally head south in late fall and will head back north in late spring. <\/strong>The same is true of both migrating species found in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Do Cuckoos Migrate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos have different routes of migration depending on where they\u2019re found in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos with a native habitat in Africa will travel into parts of Europe and Asia during the summer months.<\/strong> Those living in the southern regions of Asia will migrate into Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As noted above, North American cuckoos often migrate to Central and South America. <\/strong>Even the black-billed cuckoos, which live as far north as southern Canada, will migrate to the warmer tropical areas of Central and South America during the winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yellow-billed cuckoos are not as widespread in Canada, but their natural range extends further south into Mexico. Most yellow-billed cuckoos also migrate further south, diving deep into the interior regions of South America in search of warmer climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Cuckoos Migrate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There may be several different reasons for cuckoos\u2019 migration habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many birds, they migrate in search of warmer climates during the cold winter months and cooler climates in the hot summer months. They migrate to avoid temperature extremes<\/strong> that put undue stresses on their bodies and make it harder to reproduce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, cuckoos migrate to different areas in search of better breeding conditions<\/strong>. For example, some, being brood parasites, may want to lay their eggs in the nest of a specific species of bird that isn\u2019t native to their own habitat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuckoos may also migrate to search for a better supply of food.<\/strong> They feed primarily on insects, especially caterpillars, which may be unavailable in colder regions during the winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another possible reason for migrating is to avoid predators. <\/strong>If cuckoos stayed in the same place at all times, the region could become overpopulated, thus attracting predatory animals to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, cuckoos may migrate simply because they prefer milder weather.<\/strong> The common cuckoo, for example, will arrive in Europe in April or May, beating the heat in Africa; they will then start heading back by September before Europe becomes too cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Far Do Cuckoos Migrate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exact distances a cuckoo may travel during migration are not fully known, but some have been tracked over great distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the BBC<\/a>, one cuckoo was satellite-tracked on its journey from Zambia to Mongolia–a distance of more than 7,500 miles<\/strong>. This distance is considered one of the longest migration routes by any animal ever recorded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not all cuckoos travel this far, it isn\u2019t uncommon for them to travel upwards of two or three thousand miles to reach their destination. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the following video to learn more about tracking techniques used to tag cuckoos and other migratory birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TAgidMSEjJk<\/a>