Why are the yellow billed cuckoos endangered?

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, meaning they are not endangered.

However, their populations have declined significantly in recent decades, and they face several threats that could lead to them becoming endangered in the future. These threats include:

* Habitat loss and fragmentation: The Yellow-billed Cuckoo relies on mature forests, particularly deciduous forests, for nesting and foraging. Deforestation and fragmentation of these habitats are major threats to their populations.

* Climate change: Changes in weather patterns, including increased droughts and extreme temperatures, can affect the availability of food and nesting sites for Yellow-billed Cuckoos.

* Parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds: These birds lay their eggs in the nests of other species, including Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Cowbird chicks often outcompete cuckoo chicks for food and resources, reducing the success of cuckoo nests.

* Pesticide use: Exposure to pesticides can negatively affect cuckoo health and survival, particularly during breeding season.

* West Nile Virus: This disease has been found to affect Yellow-billed Cuckoos, potentially contributing to population decline.

While the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is not currently endangered, the threats it faces are significant and warrant conservation efforts.

To learn more about conservation efforts for this species, you can consult:

* The IUCN Red List: [https://www.iucnredlist.org/](https://www.iucnredlist.org/)

* The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/)

* The North American Bird Conservation Initiative: [https://www.nabci.net/](https://www.nabci.net/)