Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Walsingham Park, Largo, Florida May 2020

Last week this secretive Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) hopped around in the bushes evading me. Well, it alternated between hiding-from and looking-for me. In a rare display of patience, I stood completely still, camera at the ready, and waited.

Sure enough, within a couple moments it popped into an opening in the leaves and I was able to snap a couple photos. Though they are known for being easier to locate by sound than sight, I didn’t hear it’s distinctive croaking call that afternoon. You can bet that I’ll be listening for it next time I’m in the area!