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.

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