Rusty-breasted Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Cacomantis sepulcralis compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rusty-breasted Cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cacomantis sepulcralis Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Not Evaluated Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 31.95 g (1.13 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh penetrating quality; rough notes carrying through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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

Not Evaluated

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Plumage

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo: rusty-rufous breast; gray-brown above; pale belly; long dark tail; red eye-ring; bold rusty breast color

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis sepulcralis) — 22–25 cm. Grey above; rich rusty-buff underparts; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits forest, forest edge, and plantations from the Malay Peninsula and Greater Sundas to the Philippines and Sulawesi. Brood parasite. 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.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family