This ground-dwelling cuckoo has a long tail and crest. It ranges from Mexico into Central America and eats grasshoppers and caterpillars in dry scrub and open country.
The upperparts are brown and streaked, while the underparts are buff. Blue bare skin behind the eye extends back to a red patch. Juveniles have dark spots on the breast where adults have streaks.
It is resident and feeds mainly on insects, especially grasshoppers and caterpillars.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.