The genus name, kokkuzo, means to call like a common cuckoo, and erythropthalmus is from eruthros, "red" and ophthalmos, "eye".

[3] Adults have a long, graduated brown tail and a black, slightly downcurved bill.

[7] Black-billed cuckoo chicks have white, sparsely-distributed, sheath-like down that contrasts heavily with their black skin.

They also have complex, creamy-colored structures on their mouth and tongue, which may appear like warts or some type of parasitic infection however they are normal for the species.

Lastly, they can also inhabit more open areas such as abandoned farmland, golf courses, and residential parks.

The chosen habitat must also have a water source nearby such as a lake, river, marsh, or pond.

On their wintering grounds in South America, they can inhabit tropical rainforests, deciduous or semi open woodlands as well as scrub forests.

Furthermore, they are also present in the maritime provinces of Prince Edward Island, eastern New Brunswick, and western Nova Scotia.

[9] Although they are mainly an eastern North American species, there have been confirmed reports of sighting in British Columbia, Washington, and California.

During outbreak years of these insects, the abundance of black-billed cuckoos increased on Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes.

Similar patterns have also been observed during outbreaks of tent caterpillars, fall webworms, and cicadas.

The young are not able to fly right away, however they can still move quite large distances by jumping between tree branches.

They stretch their neck out and point their bill upwards, while keeping their eyes open and remaining motionless.

[20] Black-billed cuckoos generally build their own nests, weaving loose structures of twigs, dried leaves, and pine needles about 2 metres (6.6 ft) above the ground.

[21][22] However, in years with an abundance of food sources (such as outbreaks of periodical cicadas), the species may engage in brood parasitism.

[24][25] Although the black-billed cuckoo is classified as Least Concern (LN) on the IUCN red list, its population is still on the decline.