Black-billed Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Centropus bernsteini compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Black-billed Coucal African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus bernsteini Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 37.2 cm (14.6 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 162.5 g (5.73 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Black-billed Coucal only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Black-billed Coucal

Song

Loud, clear whistled call with carrying quality; rich musical notes audible through dense humid 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

Black-billed Coucal

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Black-billed Coucal

Black-billed Coucal (Centropus bernsteini) — 40–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; all-black bill. Restricted to northern and western New Guinea in lowland forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore.

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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