Black-bellied cuckoo

The average length of adults is between 38 and 40.5 cm. The beak is of an intense purple/red color, the iris is dark red with a blue orbital skin and one yellow mole at the anterior side of each eye. The head is grey and contrasts with the ruffled back. The throat and chest are brown-reddish, cinnamon color and the belly and undertail coverts are black. The tail is black with conspicuous white stripes.[2] The juveniles resemble adults.[6]

P. melanogaster occurs within the range of the similar squirrel cuckoo (Piaya cayana).[7] Black-bellied cuckoos are distinguished by a dark face and grey crown.[2] The squirrel cuckoo has exposed yellow-greenish skin in the orbital area, the chest plumage is grey and it lacks the characteristic hood of the black-bellied cuckoo.[8]

P. melanogaster is a low density species with an Amazonian distribution; it can be found in the upper parts of tropical rainforests and occasionally in savanna forests.[9] It prefers altitudes up to 800 meters above sea level. Is a native species of southern and eastern Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, eastern Venezuela, Northern Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, eastern Perú and Brazil. It is a permanent resident in its range.[3][6]

In Guyana, the black-bellied cuckoo can be found in Kanashen.[10] In Bolivia it can be found in the department of La Paz.[11] In Colombia it is found from the south of Meta department, the northwest of Guainía department and in southern Vaupés department.[8] In Ecuador it is found below 400 meter above sea level, is infrequently seen in the eastern lowlands.[2] In Brasil this cuckoo is found in the Alta Floresta region at the north of Mato Grosso, in southeastern Amazonia.[12]

Black-bellied cuckoos live in tropical rainforests, scrub and occasionally in wooded savannas.[8] They do not frequent open areas, like the squirrel cuckoo does. The black-bellied cuckoo stays at upper levels of the forest.[2] It is estimated that deforestation reduces suitable habitat within its range by about 10% every three generations (approximately 13 years).[3]

P. melanogaster prefers forest canopies but can be seen in tall shrubs, climbing on vines, jumping between branches or running between them, and flying in open spaces. Their wing beats are slow and shallow. Individuals are usually alone or in pairs.[8]