Buff-headed Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Centropus milo compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Buff-headed Coucal African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus milo Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 52.8 cm (20.8 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 766.0 g (27.02 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Buff-headed Coucal only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Buff-headed Coucal

Song

Deep, resonant booming call; powerful hollow notes carrying far across Melanesian lowland forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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

Buff-headed Coucal

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Buff-headed Coucal

Buff-headed Coucal (Centropus milo) — 58–65 cm. Massive coucal; jet-black body; pale buff-yellow head and neck; heavy decurved bill. Endemic to the Solomon Islands in lowland forest and dense scrub. Non-parasitic; builds a domed grass nest. Omnivore hunting large insects, lizards, frogs, and small mammals. One of the largest coucals globally.

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.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family