Are yellow-billed cuckoos common in Minnesota?

While not a common back-yard species, the yellow-billed cuckoo is a summer resident in the southern, central and western edge of the state. It's easily identified by its black-and-white tail pattern and the yellow bill. The yellow-billed cuckoo is one of three cuckoos that live in the United States. The others are the black-billed and the mangrove. They are slender, secretive birds that slip between brushy tangles and dense trees. These insect eaters are seldom seen, but frequently heard. While cuckoos don't really sing, their strange call often seems to precede rainstorms. That's why they've gained the nickname "rain crow." The yellow-bill's call is a "ka, ka, ka, kow" that descends to a guttural "kowp, kowp." This column is prepared by Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) members Fran Howard and Anthony Hertzel. To ask questions about back-yard birding for this column, call 612-673-4363 and leave a brief message. Or send questions to birds@stribmail.com. All questions will be ...  more