Conserving Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos

Western ranchers know the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo as “Rain Crow” because their incessant calling meant that summer rains were on the way. Ranchers and other pay attention to the arrival of cuckoos because although only dove-sized, they  fly to and from Paraguay and the American West twice a year, a journey of some 5,000 miles. 

Audubon seeks to protect habitat along this migratory path, especially on the breeding grounds. As an riparian obligate, cuckoos are sensitive to current stream conditions and their decline across borders can largely be attributed to habitat loss, especially dewatering.  

Our Work

• Community Science: we’ve coordinated consistent monitoring in cuckoo stronghold areas. These data help fill gaps in natural history knowledge, inform best practices for land managers, and keep track of the southwest's cuckoo population. Community scientists assist with these surveys, and college students looking to embark on conservation careers are recruitment as paid interns. Internships offer  opportunities to build resumes, gain experience, and network with potential employers. 
• Western Water Action Network: Ongoing aridification and unsustainable water management are among the biggest threats to the future of the species, and it's up to us to inform the policies and practices that will ensure a sustainable water future, not just for the cuckoo, but for countless other species, communities, and economies as well. Join the Western Water Action Network to help.
• Annual Field Training: Surveying for Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos requires that surveyors be permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and agree to report to their state wildlife agency. Attendance at a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved training is a required credential for permitting. Each summer, Audubon Southwest hosts a training in partnership with federal and state partners to fulfill the training requirement. A minimum of 40 hours in the field is also required to apply for a permit. Audubon Southwest and other partners provide opportunities for trainees to gain field experience.