A rare sighting of a common cuckoo on Long Island, New York, has ignited a wave of excitement among bird enthusiasts across the region. This species, typically native to areas spanning from Europe to Japan and wintering in Africa, was unexpectedly spotted in Riverhead, a town approximately 75 miles from New York City. The discovery was made by a golfer who captured a photo and shared it with his nephew, an avid birder. The image eventually reached the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, where the bird was confirmed as a common cuckoo—a species rarely seen in the eastern United States and Canada. Since the initial sighting, the bird has been observed over 200 times, with enthusiasts documenting their encounters on platforms like ebird.org and social media. Many birdwatchers from across the U.S. have traveled to the area in hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare visitor. Experts believe the bird, identified as a juvenile, may have been migrating for the winter but veered off course. Jay McGowan, a curator at the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library, emphasized the significance of the sighting, noting it as a major event for birding in New York. He advised observers to maintain a respectful distance while enjoying the rare opportunity to witness a species typically found only in Europe or Asia.