Ivory-billed Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Centropus menbeki compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Ivory-billed Coucal African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus menbeki Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 43.6 cm (17.2 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 461.25 g (16.27 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Ivory-billed Coucal only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Ivory-billed Coucal

Song

Harsh, far-carrying call with deep quality; resonant rough notes carrying across African lowland 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

Ivory-billed Coucal

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Ivory-billed Coucal

Ivory-billed Coucal (Centropus menbeki) — 60–68 cm. Very large; blackish-brown overall with a pale ivory-coloured heavy bill; long graduated tail. Found in forest and tall secondary growth of New Guinea and Aru Islands. Non-parasitic; builds an enclosed grass nest. Omnivorous; takes large invertebrates, lizards, frogs, and small mammals.

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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