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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Goliath Coucal
Song
Loud, far-carrying coo with resonant quality; deep notes building in dramatic sequence from forest perch.
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.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Goliath Coucal
Least Concern
African Emerald Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Goliath Coucal
Plumage
Lesser Coucal: smaller; dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff-white below; red eye; long graduated dark tail; less glossy
African Emerald Cuckoo
Plumage
New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Goliath Coucal (Centropus goliath) — 65–75 cm. The largest coucal; all-dark with a massive decurved bill; faint bronze-green gloss; very long tail. Endemic to the Moluccas, Indonesia, in primary lowland forest. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts large lizards, birds, frogs, and invertebrates.
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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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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