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

Song

Harsh, chattering call with coarse quality; rapid series of rough notes delivered from tropical forest perch.

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

Pheasant Coucal

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

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.

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