Coppery-tailed Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus cupreicaudus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Coppery-tailed Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus cupreicaudus | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.2 cm (16.6 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 264.0 g (9.31 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Coppery-tailed Coucal only
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Coppery-tailed Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low-frequency notes carrying across dense tropical forest 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
Coppery-tailed Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Coppery-tailed Coucal
Green-billed Coucal: green bill contrasting dark head; glossy black-brown above; rufous wings; pale below; long dark tail; red eye
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
Coppery-tailed Coucal
Coppery-tailed Coucal (Centropus cupreicaudus) — 45–50 cm. Large; chestnut back; black head; tail with coppery-bronze gloss; stout bill. Found in rank grass, papyrus, and dense scrub of Central to southern Africa. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; associated with floodplain habitats. Near Threatened due to wetland drainage.
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.