The Common Squirrel-cuckoo is well named because you could easily mistake it for a squirrel as it slips through tree branches.

It is found from Mexico to northern Argentina and prefers open types of forest and woodland. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

It feeds on insects and, despite its name, it is not a brood parasite but normally lays 2 to 3 eggs which are incubated by both parents.

There are subtle differences between the various sub-species of which there are about 13. Photos 1 and 3 from south-east Brazil show the sub-species P. c. macroura which is dark chestnut above with a blackish belly. Photo 2 from Boa Nova, Bahia is the race pallescens which is paler. Photo 4 from Caxiuaña, Pará is the race hellmayri which is more tan on the upperparts. Photo 5 taken at Antigua, Guatemala is the race thermophila which is darker rufous above and dark grey to black on the belly. Photo 6 from Tarapoto, San Martin, Peru is the sub-species obscura. Photo 7, from Baeza, Napo, Ecuador is the sub-species mesura.