Black-throated Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus leucogaster compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-throated Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus leucogaster | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.2 cm (15.4 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 309.0 g (10.90 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Black-throated Coucal only
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Black-throated Coucal
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low notes carrying across rainforest in Southeast Asia.
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
Black-throated Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-throated Coucal
White-elbowed Coucal: white elbow patch; dark brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; white elbow spot
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
Black-throated Coucal
Black-throated Coucal (Centropus leucogaster) — 40–46 cm. Rufous above; black head, throat, and breast; white belly; long tail. Inhabits dense forest and secondary growth in West and Central Africa. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; secretive in dense undergrowth.
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.