One of the most unmistakable and charismatic birds in Argentina. Brown plumage with white spots on the back and wings that give it a mottled appearance. The crest is pointed, long and orange-ocher, always a little tousled. The bill is bright orange with a hooked tip. The eyes are yellow. The tail is very long with white bands at the tips. It measures 34 to 40 cm. Its characteristic odor and scruffy appearance make it unmistakable.
Behaviour
Extremely social and noisy. It lives in groups of 5 to 20 individuals that follow one another across the fields, preen each other and spend hours sunbathing with their wings open. A communal nest where several females lay their eggs and the whole group raises the young. It feeds on insects, small lizards, frogs, the eggs of other birds and chicks.
How and when to see it
Year round at absolutely every portal. One of the easiest birds to photograph for its size and its scant wariness of people.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where guira cuckoo has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where guira cuckoo lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Jurassic Plant - Night Tour
The only carnivorous-plant garden in Argentina and a pioneer in Latin America. A guided…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameGuira Cuckoo
- Scientific nameGuira guira
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
Other species of the Iberá
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