Long known to be less common than Iowa’s other cuckoo, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the Black-billed Cuckoo seems to be somewhat less common now than it was even a few decades ago. It is typically found along the edge of woods and in thick brushy areas. It is well known for its habit of nesting fairly late in summer and for feeding on caterpillars, especially those with “hairy” coverings. It is quite secretive, spending much of its time in thick cover where it is seldom seen and more commonly is heard. It is a neotropical migrant, wintering in South America. We know little about its habits there but perhaps a combination of habitat losses on both the wintering and breeding grounds account for the apparent decline in numbers of this species.
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indicates a designated IBA.