Behavior
The Guira Cuckoo is arboreal, but can frequently be seen on the ground, usually in flocks of 6 to 18 individuals. It is sometimes seen with other birds such as the Smooth-billed Ani whose behaviour is similar.
Food
The Guira Cuckoo is a bird of open habitats and therefore has expanded its range on human-altered wooded areas, being found even in suburban parks and gardens. It feeds on large arthropods, frogs, eggs, small birds and small mammals such as mice. As it is not an accomplished flier, mostly gliding or hopping from one perch to another – clumsier, but otherwise similar to the related Squirrel Cuckoo – it acts as an opportunistic predator, gathering small prey items on the ground or searching for them among branches. The Guira Cuckoo is often seen in small groups in open habitats, gliding from one treetop to another foraging, while vocalizating loudly. The bird's call is unmistakable for being long and shrill, something between a long whistle and a wailing.
Defense
The nest is built on a tree fork 5 metres from the ground. The eggs are dark green and covered with a chalky layer. They are incubated either in individual or community nests; in the latter one can find up to 20 eggs. Under community nests there are many broken eggs. The competition between young being great, mortality is significant.References:
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