Black-faced Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus melanops compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus melanops | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.8 cm (12.5 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 219.75 g (7.75 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-faced Coucal
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; piercing notes carrying far across tall African 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
Black-faced Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-faced Coucal
Bay Coucal: rich rufous-brown all over; rufous wings; pale buff-white below; long dark tail; red eye; bright uniformly rufous bird
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-faced Coucal
Black-faced Coucal (Centropus melanops) — 38–44 cm. Chestnut-rufous wings and back; black head, face, and underparts; long tail. Endemic to the Philippines (Mindanao and satellite islands) in grassland, scrub, and forest edge. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Status considered Vulnerable due to rapid habitat conversion.
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.