Pied Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus ateralbus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pied Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus ateralbus | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 336.75 g (11.88 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Pied Coucal
Loud, far-carrying cooing call; deep resonant notes given repeatedly from tall forest tree in Africa.
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
Pied Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pied Coucal
Biak Coucal: dark brown above with iridescent gloss; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Biak island endemic
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
Pied Coucal
Pied Coucal (Centropus ateralbus) — 55–60 cm. Striking black-and-white coucal; glossy black wings and tail; pure white head, neck, and underparts. Restricted to New Britain and nearby islands (Papua New Guinea) in forest edge and secondary growth. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects, and small vertebrates. Status locally secure.
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.