Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (15, 55)

Photo © Félix Uribe, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

STATUS

Nearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

An autumn visitor (late Sep-Nov) that struggles to survive the Atlantic crossing with many of them dying on these shores shortly.

Since 1950 England has had the lions share with 42 individuals with twelve occurring in Scotland, and just singles in Wales and the Isle of Man.

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RECORDS

1). 1832 Pembrokeshire Lawrenny, Stackpole Court, shot, autumn, now at Natural History Museum, Tring.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1833: 26; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; J. Tracy, Zoologist 1851: 3046; Edward Newman, Zoologist 1870: 2344; "G." Field 10th Sept., 1870: 236; Field 1871: 299; Mathew, 1894; Witherby, 1920-24; Lockley, 1949; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; BOURC, Ibis 147: 246-250).

2). 1835 Cornwall Locality unknown, obtained, autumn.

(Jenyns, 1835; Temminck, 1840; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1880, 1901; Seebohm, 1883-85; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Penhallurick, 1978).

3). 1870 Ceredigion Clarach beach, Aberystwyth, immature male, picked up dead, 26th October.

(G. W. Cosens, Field 5th Nov., 1870: 388; G. W. Cosens, Zoologist 1870: 2407; Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1871: 299; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. H. Salter, Zoologist 1895: 143; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1895: 376-377; Forrest, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

4). 1874 Devon Lundy, picked up dead, October.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; D'Urban, 1906; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Moore, 1969).

5). 1887 Cornwall Cury, near Helston, picked up dead, about 14th October.

(G. F. Tregellas, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 377, 383-384; Ed., Field 18th May 1889: 687; Penhallurick, 1978).

6). 1895 Dorset Near Bridport, adult, found dead, 5th October.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1895: 376-377; T. A. Colfox, Field 26th Oct., 1895: 708; N. M. Richardson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 17: 198-199; Witherby, 1920-24; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 182; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Boys, 1973; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

7). 1896 Isle of Wight Ventnor, picked up dead, early October.

(G. W. Smith, Zoologist 1896: 473; G. W. Smith, Zoologist 1897: 142; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 284; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7).

8). 1899 Anglesey Craig y don, Menai Straits, adult female, found dead, 10th November.

(G. Dickinson, Ibis 1900: 219; G. Dickinson, Field 18th Nov., 1899: 791; R. H. Read, Zoologist 1902: 73, corr.; T. A. Coward & C. Oldham, Zoologist 1902: 411; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 284; Forrest, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

9). 1901 Somerset Pylle, female, shot, 6th October.

(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 26-27; R. H. Read, Zoologist 1902: 26; R. H. Read, Zoologist 1902: 73, corr.; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 284;

Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988).

10). 1901 Hampshire Near Avon Castle, Ringwood, male, shot, 30th October.

(G. B. Corbin, Zoologist 1901: 474-475; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 284; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7).

11). 1904 Argyll Colonsay, immature male, picked up dead, 6th November, now at Natural History Museum, Tring (BMNH 1904.11.28.1).

(H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 184; Eds., British Birds 4: 126; "Buxton" Field 18th Feb., 1922: 235; Witherby, 1920-24; T. Henderson & L. S. V. Venables, British Birds 46: 218; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Thom, 1986; R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

12). 1921 Isles of Scilly St Mary's, shot, 3rd week of November, photo, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.

(Country Life 24th Dec., 1921: 869; C. J. King, Field 21st Jan., 1922: 100, photo; Eds., British Birds 15: 242; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Penhallurick, 1978).

13). 1936 Orkney Doverhouse, Birsay, Mainland, immature female, obtained, 22nd October, now at Stromness Museum (Z.95).

(A. C. Stephen, Scottish Naturalist 57: 46; Eds., British Birds 31: 125; T. Henderson & L. S. V. Venables, British Birds 46: 218; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Thom, 1986;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

14). 1938 Cornwall Mawgan Porth, shot, 7th October.

(B. H. Ryves, British Birds 32: 236; B. H. Ryves & D. Valentine, Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Report 1938: 35; C. H. B. Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 59: 76; Ryves, 1948; Penhallurick, 1978).

15). 1940 Isles of Scilly Tresco, picked up dead, 6th November.

(A. A. Dorrien-Smith, British Birds 34: 181; Penhallurick, 1978).

16). 1952 Shetland Exnaboe, Mainland, age uncertain, female, picked up dying, 1st November, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1953.1.8).

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (9): 14; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (10): 24-25; L. S. V. Venables, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (10): 48; T. Henderson & L. S. V. Venables, British Birds 46: 218; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 102; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Venables & Venables, 1955;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

17). 1952 Sussex Furness Road, Eastbourne, flew into wall and found dead, 4th November, now in Eris Simms collection.

(E. Simms, British Birds 46: 218; G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1952: 14; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Shrubb, 1979).

18). 1953 Highland Muck, Lochaber, immature male, found dead, 3rd October, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1953.41).

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 8-9; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 66: 16-17; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 102; A. C. Stephen, British Birds 47: 172; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7).

19). 1953 Moray & Nairn Caskieben, Nairn, immature female, picked up alive, died later, 5th October, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1953.42).

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 8-9; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 66: 16-17; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 102; A. C. Steven, British Birds 47: 172; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Crighton, 1976).

20). 1953 Angus & Dundee Near Old Montrose, Angus, 11th October.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 8-9; C. K. Mylne, Scottish Naturalist 65: 196-197; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 66: 16-17; C. K. Mylne, British Birds 47: 172-173; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 102; Crighton, 1976).

21). 1953 Yorkshire Cloughton, 14th to 17th November, photo.

(E. H. Ramskir, R. S. Pollard, E. A. Wallis, Naturalist 79: 78; R. Chislett, British Birds 47: 173, plate 36; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Mather, 1986).

22). 1956 Orkney Bryameadow Farm, Sandwick, Mainland, immature, 12th October, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1956.68).

(Eds., Scottish Birds 6: 335-336; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 91;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

23). 1960 Sussex Middleton-on-Sea, adult female, freshly dead, 14th December, now at Bognor Regis Museum.

(G. A. Pyman and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 54: 188).

24). 1965 Isles of Scilly St Agnes and Gugh, 28th October.

(D. D. Harber and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 59: 291).

25). 1969 Argyll Barcaldine, Connel, immature, found dying, late September, photo.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 65: 349; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M.Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

26). 1970 Isles of Scilly St Mary's, 4th October.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 65: 351).

27). 1970 Caithness Thurso, immature female, picked up dying, 9th November, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1983.40).

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 64: 356; P. McMorran, Scottish Birds 6: 335-336;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

28). 1971 Suffolk Reydon, picked up, 18th October, died 19th October, photo, now at Hertfordshire Museum.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 65: 338, plate 50).

29). 1971 Cornwall St Mawes, 4th to 7th November.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 66: 357).

30). 1973 Hampshire Naish Holiday Village, Chewton Bunny, 20th October, found dead 22nd October, now at Cumberland House Museum, Portsmouth.

(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 67: 328; J. H. Taverner, Hampshire Bird Report 1973: 34; A. Cox, Hampshire Bird Report 2011: 120; Clark, 2022).

31). 1976 Hampshire Pennington Marsh, 6th November.

(J. O'Sullivan and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 70: 427).

32). 1978 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 27th October, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 72: 529; Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Ornithological Report 1978: photo).

33). 1978 Lincolnshire Welton-le-Marsh, found dead, 30th October, now at Lincoln Museum.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 72: 529).

34). 1979 Dorset Portland BO, 24th to 28th September, trapped 26th September, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 73: 515, plate 258).

35). 1980 Isles of Scilly Parsonage, St Agnes, first-year, 1st to 11th October; same, Gugh, 12th October; Hugh Town, St Mary's, moribund, 12th October, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 74: 478; Anon., Isles of Scilly Bird Report 1980: 56-58).

36). 1980 Cornwall Penzance, found moribund, 9th October, photo, now at Bolton Museum.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 511, plate 54).

37). 1981 Isles of Scilly Porth Hellick and Salakee, St Mary's, 23rd to 24th September.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 511).

38). 1981 Yorkshire Shaw Wood, Armthorpe, first-winter, moribund, 14th November, now at Doncaster Museum.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 76: 503; J. E. Dale, Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Ornithological Report 1981: 36).

39). 1985 Isles of Scilly Holy Vale, St Mary's, two, probably three: 12th to 13th October; probably another, Green Farm and Garrison, St Mary's, 17th to 23rd October; Tresco, 13th to 16th October; probably another 26th to 27th October; St Martin's, 17th, 20th to 22nd October; St Agnes, 19th October; differing individual, 23rd October, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 79: 558-559, plates 23 & 281; Birding World 3 (10): 352, photo; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plates 86 & 87).

42). 1985 Cornwall Pendeen, recently dead, 13th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 80: 547).

43). 1985 Hampshire Woolston, Southampton, recently dead, 17th October, now at Cumberland Museum, Southsea.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 79: 558).

44). 1986 Devon Lundy, first-winter, 31st October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 81: 569).

45). 1987 Devon Lundy, first-winter, 16th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 81: 569).

46). 1987 Lincolnshire Rauceby Warren NR, near Sleaford, 18th to 19th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 82: 533; A. Ball, Lincolnshire Bird Report 1987: 65-66).

47). 1988 Man, Isle of Gansey, adult, dead, 30th September, photo, now in Manx Museum.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 582; BOURC (2004), Ibis 146: 192-195).

48). 1989 Devon Lundy, 25th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 470).

49). 1989 Suffolk Landguard, trapped, 25th October, photo.

(Birding World 2 (10): 347, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 470, plate 86; J. R. Askins, Suffolk Birds 1989: 125-126, plates 20 & 21).

50). 1990 Bedfordshire Sandy, recently dead, 6th December, skin retained by M. Kemp.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 84: 478).

51). 1991 Orkney North Ronaldsay, immature female, freshly dead, 25th September, photo, now at North Ronaldsay BO.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 85: 532;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M.Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367).

52). 1991 Greater London/Surrey Oxted Railway Station, caught, ringed, 17th October, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 85: 532; London Bird Report 1991: photo; Surrey Bird Report 1991: photo; Wheatley, 2007; Self, 2014).

53). 1994 Pembrokeshire Near St David's, 30th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 88: 523; Green & Roberts, 2004).

54). 1995 Isles of Scilly Harry's Walls then Rocky Hill, St Mary's, 19th October, photo.

(Birding World 8 (10): 368, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 89: 509, plate 193; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 87).

55). 1995 Northumberland Catchburn Farm, Morpeth, 22nd October, photo.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 90: 488; A. McLevy, Birds in Northumbria 1996: 128-129).

56). 1999 Cornwall Cot Valley, St Just, 10th October, photo.

(Birding World 12 (11): 432, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 540; Birds in Cornwall 1999: photo).

57). 1999 Isles of Scilly Pool Road, Tresco, 12th to 20th October, photo.

(Birding World 12 (10): 388, photo; British Birds 92: plate 289; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 93: 540, plates 275 & 321; Isles of Scilly Bird Report 1999: photo; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 87).

58). 2000 Cornwall St Levan, 12th to 13th October, photo.

(Birding World 13 (10): 397, photo; Birding World 13 (12): 488, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 94: 480, plate 266; Birds in Cornwall 2000: photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 501; British Birds 101: plate 232).

59). 2004 Isles of Scilly Higher Moors, St Mary's, 7th October.

(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 663).

60). 2009 Orkney The Gloup, Deerness, Mainland, adult, 25th September, photo.

(Birding World 22 (9): 363, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 602, plate 326; G. Gannon, Scottish Birds 30: 362-363, plates 305-307;  R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367; British Birds 107: plate 36).

61). 2009 Perth & Kinross Near Cromwell Park, Almondbank, immature male, found dead, 4th October, photo, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.2009.136.1 and 2).

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 602; S. Keay,  Scottish Birds 30: 364, plate 309; R. Y. McGowan & R. M. Lyszkowski, Scottish Birds 30: 365-367, plates 310 & 311).

62). 2010 Outer Hebrides Kilaulay, South Uist, immature male, found dead, 4th November, photo, Now at National Museums Scotland (NMS.Z 2010.98).

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 104: 590; R. Y. McGowan, Scottish Birds 32: 168).

63). 2011 Lancashire & North Merseyside Liverpool, died in care, 12th October, photo.

(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 591).

64). 2014 Cornwall Porthgwarra, first-winter, 23rd to 24th October, photo.

(British Birds 107: plate 397; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 596, plate 344; Birds in Cornwall 2013-14: photo).

65). 2016 Outer Hebrides South Dell, Lewis, 1CY, 28th September, photo.

(D. Pointon & B. A. E. Marr, Scottish Birds 36: 366-369, plates 329-333; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 591).

66). 2017 Isles of Scilly Grinlinton Farm, St Agnes, 1CY, 20th October, photo, taken into care but died later.

(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 585-586).

67). 2019 Isles of Scilly Porth Mellon, St Mary's, 1CY, 2nd October; same, Lower Moors, St Mary's, 1CY, 6th to 7th October, photo; same, Doily Wood, St Mary's, 12th to 14th October, photo; same, Lower Moors, 16th October.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 597, plate 348).

68). 2019 Sussex Seaford, 2CY+, found dead, 2nd October, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 597; R. Lawson, Sussex Bird Report 2019: 218, photo).

69). 2019 Cornwall Crackington Haven, 1CY+, 12th to 13th October, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 597).

70). 2020 Cornwall Goonhavern, 1CY+, 3rd November, photo.

(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 577; Birds in Cornwall 2020: photo).