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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