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Breeding Range. (Fig. 80). Fairly common on the wooded deltaic sand area of western Pembina County, in the Pembina Hills, in the Turtle Mountains, in wooded hills and along lake shores in the vicinity of Devils Lake, along wooded stream valleys within the Agassiz Lake Plain, and along wooded valleys of the Sheyenne River (extending upstream to north-central Eddy County), James River (between Jamestown and Grand Rapids), Mouse River (within McHenry and Ward Counties), and along one sector of the Missouri River (extending downstream from Garrison Dam to a point about 10 miles below Bismarck); uncommon elsewhere throughout the state.

Breeding Habitat. Characteristic of brushy margins or openings of woodlands, and of thickets of small trees and shrubs on the prairie. This species also occurs in shelterbelts and occasionally inhabits partially wooded landscaped areas of towns, suburbs and farmsteads.

Nesting. Breeding season: Early June to early August; peak, mid-June to late July. Extreme egg dates (5 nests): June 4 [1973] in McKenzie County (RES) to June 20 [1967] in Barnes County (R. L. Kroodsma). Extreme nestling dates (3 nests): June 20 [1961] in Stark County (E. Bry) to July 27 [1972] in Billings County (E. A. Swenson). On July 29, 1964 an adult was observed carrying food in Stutsman County (RES).

Four nests were situated in tree saplings including choke cherry, hawthorn and bur oak. One nest was placed on a dead tree branch lying on the ground in a weedy area. The height of these nests above the ground ranged from 10 inches to 4 feet.

Indicated clutch size (5 nests): 3 to 4 eggs; mean, 3.4 eggs.

Figure 80. Breeding Range of Black-billed Cuckoo.