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
Song & Call Comparison
Ivory-billed Coucal
Harsh, far-carrying call with deep quality; resonant rough notes carrying across African lowland forest.
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
Ivory-billed Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Ivory-billed Coucal
Buff-headed Coucal: distinctive buff-white head; dark brown back; rufous wings; pale underparts; long dark tail; red eye; head pattern
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
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.