When we first arrived in Haiti 8 years ago, we never saw any birds. Slowly, here on our property, and especially now after tropical storm Laura, we are hearing birds sing. Today we found what we think is a mother and child.

They were different from what we had ever seen. We were curious, so we did some research and found out they are the Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus longirostris), a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

An impressive long-tailed species of wooded habitats, including shade coffee plantations. Typically found foraging in dense vegetation from understory to canopy; can be found sunning in the open at first light with its tail spread. Note this species long straight narrow bill, brilliant red eyering, gray chest, and buff-orange belly. The Bay-breasted Cuckoo is similarly shaped but is larger with a maroon chest and short curved bill. The Mangrove Cuckoo is smaller, with a smaller curved bill and a black mask. Secretive, but not shy, this species is often first detected by its voice: a long, rapid, ratcheting “keh-keh-keh…” Also gives a low “craaa” and a sharp “chek.”