Plaintive Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Cacomantis merulinus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Plaintive Cuckoo | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacomantis merulinus | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 20.8 cm (8.2 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 25.75 g (0.91 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Plaintive Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep notes given from dense forest canopy in Africa. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
African Emerald Cuckoo
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
Plaintive Cuckoo
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Plaintive Cuckoo
Plaintive Cuckoo: gray-brown above; rufous-orange below; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; sexually dimorphic rufous morph females
African Emerald Cuckoo
New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size
About These Birds
Plaintive Cuckoo
Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) — 20–24 cm. Male: grey above; rufous-orange below; yellow orbital skin. Female: heavily barred morph often differs. Widespread in South and Southeast Asia from Bangladesh to the Philippines. Brood parasite targeting tailorbirds and other warblers. Insectivore. Named for its plaintive descending whistle.
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.