Introduction to Cuculiformes

Order Cuculiformes is made up of 1 family, 35 genera and 137 species. The Cuculiformes are made up of cuckoos, couas, coucals, malkohas, roadrunner. Most Cuculiformes are characterized by their medium size, long slender bodies and zygodactyl toes, which mean two inner toes point forward and two outer toes point backward. These toes can allow the birds to grasp branches well while looking for prey. Their species range from tree inhabitants to ground dwellers in warm temperate climates. Their prey include large insects, reptiles and amphibians.
Their species include
Cuckoos:

Cuckoos are the primary species of the Cuculiform Order. They belong to the Cuculidae family and are characterized by their slender bodies and long tails. They are a migratory species that resides in the temperate climate. They feed on large insects such as caterpillars and sometimes small reptiles. The cuckoo is known to lay her eggs in the nest of a different species. The species found in the Eastern North America are the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Mangrove Cuckoo and Black-billed Cuckoo.

Anis:

Anis belong to the Crotophaga genus in the Cuculidae family. Anis are large black birds with deep black ridged bills. They are ground feeders and have weak, wobbly flights. They are predatory birds that prey upon insects, amphibians and reptiles. They lay eggs in a community setting and incubate and feed their own young. In Eastern North America, only the Smooth Billed Ani is found in Florida.

Other Species not found in Eastern North America include
Couas:


Coucals:


Road Runner: