Allow me to introduce you to our friend the Black-billed Cuckoo. The Black-billed Cuckoo came to the Wildlife Sanctuary 2 years ago after being transferred from another rehab facility in the state. He unfortunately came into their facility with a wing injury which never fully healed, preventing him from being released back into the wild. He is a very social bird, and quickly warms up to people working in his enclosure.
Black-billed Cuckoos are native to the state of Wisconsin, and actually do breed here more commonly than its close relative the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. In contrast, Black-billed Cuckoos are seen much less commonly. They are primarily insect eaters, preferring caterpillars when they are available. They will also occasionally eat berries, small fish, and even may ingest eggs of other birds. They typically live in a wooded habitat, and may occasionally be near marshes or edges of forests. Stop on by our Resch Conservation Wing and see if you can spot our Cuckoo friend hanging out in the Field Aviary.
Matt Rupnik, Senior Animal Keeper