Black-Billed Cuckoo Coccyzus Erythropthalmus
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Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus Several factors served to confound the status of Black- These records were fairly uniformly distributed across Ohio. billed Cuckoos during the Atlas Project. The field identifica- Black-billed Cuckoos were found in every county except tion of this species proved to be a challenge, especially for Mahoning, Putnam, and Fayette. They were most widely cuckoos observed briefly in flight and calling adults producing distributed in the Lake Plain physiographic region with records vocalizations similar to those given by Yellow-billeds. Even from 46.3% of the priority blocks. These cuckoos were found in for positively identified Black-billeds, categorizing their status only 21.7% of the blocks in the Illinoian Till Plain region, and was not easy. Since their spring migration frequently extends within 32.1–38.2% of the priority blocks in the other physi- well into June (Peterjohn 1989a), reports during the first half ographic regions. Breeding Bird Survey data indicates these of the month may have pertained to summer residents or cuckoos are fairly scarce throughout Ohio, although they may be migrants. Even vocal individuals that occupied the same most numerous in the Unglaciated Plateau region. location for several days in mid–June, but were not recorded Hicks (1935) described a similar statewide distribution for later in the season, may have been migrants. Black-billed Cuckoos during the 1930s. He cited records from 84 counties, but did not specify the four counties where they were unrecorded. These cuckoos were locally distributed in most of the state. Black-billeds were generally most numerous in the eastern counties but were absent from large areas of western Ohio. Their population trends during subsequent decades are uncertain, reflecting considerable annual fluctua- tions in the abundance of summering cuckoos. While local declines were evident in some north- western counties after 1950 (Campbell 1968), Robbins, C. S., et al. (1986) cited significant increases in breeding populations in Ohio and the entire Great Lakes region between 1965 and 1979. These trends may not have continued into the 1980s. Breeding Black-billed Cuckoos normally reside in second growth wooded habitats, from narrow strips of vegetation bordering fields and streams to the edges of large woodlots. They tend to be most numerous near streams, ponds, and other sources of John Pogacnik water, but these cuckoos also occupy upland habitats. While they apparently prefer aspen thickets in Ashtabula County and other northeastern locations This confusion is somewhat evident in the Atlas Project data. (Hicks 1933a), Black-billeds have been found in a variety of Black-billed Cuckoos were recorded from 273 priority blocks deciduous woodland communities elsewhere in the state. representing 35.7% of the statewide total. Of these records, 124 Their nests vary from flimsy, loosely woven platforms to pertained to individuals observed on only one date or other fairly substantial bulky structures. Most are placed at heights of indicators of possible breeding status. Some of these records 3–5 feet in small saplings and shrubs, usually well concealed in were probably migrants or nonbreeders. Probable breeders were dense vegetation. However, some nests have been discovered claimed in 139 priority blocks. Territorial cuckoos provided most near the ground while others were located at heights up to 45 feet of these probable records, but as was previously noted, even (Peck and James 1983). Within Ohio, published egg dates extend some of these individuals may have been migrants. Breeding between May 19 and August 15 (Campbell 1968, Williams was confirmed in only 10 blocks; no nests were discovered and 1950), although most clutches are probably laid between May 25 most confirmed reports were of adults carrying food for young. and June 15. Nests with young have been discovered as early as These few confirmed records are not necessarily representative June 2 (Williams 1950), indicating some nesting attempts have of the size of the statewide breeding population, however, since been initiated in early May. These early nests may produce nesting pairs can be very secretive within their territories. recently fledged young by late June, but most fledglings have been noted between July 10 and August 10. 132 Blocks Special Areas Other Observations Confirmed Probable Possible Analysis of Block Data by Physiographic Region Summary of Total Blocks % Regional Ave. # Individ Breeding Status Physiographic Blocks with with % per BBS Route No. of Blocks in Which Region Surveyed Data Data for Ohio (1982–1987) Species Recorded Lake Plain 95 44 46.3 16.1 <0.1 Till Plain 271 87 32.1 31.9 0.3 Total 273 35.7% Ill. Till Plain 46 10 21.7 3.7 <0.1 Confirmed 10 3.7% Glaciated Plateau 140 51 36.4 18.7 0.3 Probable 139 50.9% Unglaciated Plateau 212 81 38.2 29.7 1.1 Possible 124 45.4% 133 Black-billed Cuckoo.