Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Cacomantis castaneiventris compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis castaneiventris Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 22.1 cm (8.7 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 31.5 g (1.11 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call with chestnut-breasted quality; deep hollow notes carrying through Pacific forest.

African Emerald Cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low notes carrying far through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Plumage

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo: rich chestnut breast; gray-brown above; pale belly; long dark tail; red orbital ring; bold chestnut breast

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris) — 20–24 cm. Grey above; bright chestnut breast and belly; grey chin; yellow orbital ring. Restricted to rainforest and forest edge of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, and southern New Guinea. Brood parasite targeting gerygones. Insectivore.

African Emerald Cuckoo

African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) — 20–22 cm. Male: dazzling emerald green above and on breast; yellow belly; red bill. Female: bronze-green above; rufous-barred below. Inhabits primary forest and dense secondary growth across West and Central Africa. Brood parasite targeting sunbirds and other small passerines. Insectivore.

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