The squirrel cuckoo (Piaya cayana) is a large and active species of cuckoo with an extremely long tail measuring 40.5 to 50 centimeters long (15.9 to 19.7 inches) weighing in at 95 to 120 grams (3.4 to 4.2 ounces).

Adult birds have mainly chestnut upperparts and head, becoming softer, almost soft pink on the throat. The lower breast is gray, the belly almost black, and central tail feathers rufous, with the outer ones having white tips. The bill is yellow and the eyes red.

These birds are from northwestern Mexico to northern Argentina and Uruguay and Trinidad.