28–60 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
15,739
Research-grade sightings in N. America
Recommended camera settings#
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionShoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 44 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 131 mm | 197 mm | 88 mm | 66 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 263 mm | 393 mm | 175 mm | 131 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 394 mm | 590 mm | 263 mm | 197 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 526 mm | 786 mm | 351 mm | 263 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 789 mm | 1,179 mm | 526 mm | 394 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,315 mm | 1,965 mm | 876 mm | 657 mm |
About the Yellow-billed Cuckoo#
The yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is a cuckoo. Common folk-names for this bird in the southern United States are rain crow and storm crow. These likely refer to the bird's habit of calling on hot days, often presaging rain or thunderstorms.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Roadrunners are fast — pan with them on open roads.
- Shoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
- Sightings peak in May, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Cuckoos#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Yellow-billed Cuckoo?
At about 44 cm long, a yellow-billed cuckoo fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 263 mm, or at 20 m with 526 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Yellow-billed Cuckoo?
1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Yellow-billed Cuckoo?
Observations in North America peak in May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources