Only the second record for the Lower 48. Found this morning (9/28) by Steve Gerow in Watsonville, CA. I was grateful to spend time with this heart-stopping, staggering rarity this afternoon.
My only decent underwing shot.
The bird did have a prominent white nape patch, which is more associated with Oriental Cuckoo.
The all-important rump shot. This is the best way to tell Oriental and Common Cuckoos apart. Common Cuckoo has a relatively plain, unbarred rump.
This bird was very proud of its rump.
