- Tapera naevia
Identification
27cm. White supercilium, dark malar stripe, greyish brown upperparts with black streaks, dull white underparts, black crest which is raised as part of its display, and long, graduated tail.
Distribution
Mexico through Central America and northern South America to northern Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad, and the Guianas.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognized, naevia and excellens.
Habitat
Scrubby and open areas or in forest clearings.
Behaviour
It is a brood parasite and it favours birds which build domed nests such as spinetails and thornbirds. 1-2 white or bluish eggs are laid in the host’s large stick nest. The eggs hatch in 15 days, with a further 18 days until the cuckoo fledges.
The diet includes large insects.
