The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo comes to Jefferson County in Spring and may stay until Fall. They migrate to the Caribbean or Central America for the winter. In the Pacific Northwest, this species has almost vanished due to collisions with towers, buildings, and wind turbines. It migrates at night and is particularly at risk for collisions. It is an ambush hunter of caterpillars and other insects but will also eat berries and nuts when necessary. This species also is one of very few that can eat certain caterpillars with toxic spines. It carefully avoids/removes them before eating them – as seen in one of the gallery images. I find that I need to make compromises in terms of photography with this species as they tend to stay in cover, shadows, and are seldom out in the open. They are far more likely to be heard than seen. If you are lucky enough to see one, they are quite striking with a long slender body and polka-dotted tail feathers.
