Great Lizard Cuckoo

Coccyzus merlini (d'Orbigny, 1839)

Great Lizard Cuckoo, Coccyzus merlini, is a cuckoo of the Bahamas and Cuba in the order Cuculiformes and the family Cuculidae. It breeds in those islands, with the Bahamian birds on Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, and the Cuban birds on the main island, nearby cays and Isla de la Juventud. It is the largest member of Coccyzus. The species has a long, nearly straight bill, and the adults show red to orange bare skin around the eye. Four subspecies are recognised, with the Bahamian form smaller and greyer than the nominate.

Order

Cuculiformes

Family

Cuculidae — Cuckoos

Breeding range

North America: Bahamas and Cuba