Pheasant Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus phasianinus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pheasant Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus phasianinus | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.8 cm (19.6 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 331.5 g (11.69 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Pheasant Coucal only
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Pheasant Coucal
Harsh, chattering call with coarse quality; rapid series of rough notes delivered from tropical forest perch.
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
Pheasant Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Pheasant Coucal
Black-throated Coucal: black throat; brown streaked above; rufous wings; buff below; long dark tail; red eye; black throat diagnostic
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
Pheasant Coucal
Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) — 55–70 cm. Very long-tailed; black head and underparts in breeding; streaked brown in non-breeding; rufous wings. Found in tall grass, cane fields, and scrub across Australia and New Guinea. Non-parasitic; builds a large domed grass nest. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator.
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.