The lesser ground cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the tribe Neomorphini of subfamily Crotophaginae. It is found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Pacific slope of western and southern Mexico south through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua to northwestern Costa Rica. It favors tropical dry forest, thorn scrub, and semi-open woodland with dense understory. Often found along forest edges, brushy ravines, and secondary growth, including hedgerows near agriculture. Prefers areas with ample leaf litter for foraging and scattered low shrubs for cover.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive ground-dwelling cuckoo, it often runs through leaf litter with its tail held high, flying only in short bursts. Its haunting, whistled song carries far and is often given from dense cover, making it hard to locate. Unlike many Old World cuckoos, it builds its own nest and raises its young.
Temperament
skulking but curious
Flight Pattern
short rapid low flights; mostly terrestrial
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, moving quietly through dense understory. Forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season and builds a shallow cup or platform nest low in shrubs or small trees. Both adults participate in incubation and chick rearing, with small clutches typically of 2–3 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, mournful, whistled series, often a repeated whoo or hoo notes that carry over distance. Calls are delivered from hidden perches, sometimes in responsive bouts with neighbors, and are most frequent at dawn and dusk.
