Because we are attempting to examine the entire state of Arizona, it is not possible to survey every patch of potentially suitable Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat. To overcome this obstacle we reviewed historical accounts of Yellow-billed Cuckoos within Arizona and based much of our survey site selection upon these records. Additional sites have been selected where sufficient habitat exists, and where it appears suitable for Yellow-billed Cuckoo occupancy.
The survey methodology used in this project has been modified from the foundation work of Halterman (1991) and Laymon (1998, unpublished). We have developed a Survey Data Form that has been standardize for all surveys in California and Arizona.
Survey Methods:
1) the surveyor uses playback of a taped recording of the paired yellow-billed cuckoo’s contact call ("kowlp" call, see "the bird" section of this site for a sample of this call). Playback equipment must be capable of projecting the "kowlp" call at least 100 meters with a minimum of distortion.
2) Surveys are conducted between the hours of 6:00 AM and noon. Surveys are terminated if shade temperatures exceed 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) or during steady rainfall.
3) One transect is made through the habitat for every 200 meters of habitat width.
4) The surveyor initially approaches the beginning of the transect and remains quiet for a 2-minute period to acclimate to the ambient noise and to listen for spontaneously-calling cuckoos.
5) If no cuckoos are heard then the surveyor plays the "kowlp" call once, followed by one minute of silence to listen for response. If no detection occur, this playback-listen technique is repeated an additional four times. The surveyor then moves 100 meters along the transect and begins the listen-playback-listen protocol again.
6) Responses to the playback of the "kowlp" call will generally take one of three forms. A bird may respond from a distance with a vocalization, it may fly in quietly and vocalize closer to the observer, or it may fly in quietly without vocalizing. The interpretation of these behaviors forms the basis for determining breeding status.
7) In addition to documenting cuckoo detection's and behaviors, surveyors collect information about habitat composition and structure, and also record other bird species detected during the survey.