Malagasy Coucal vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Centropus toulou compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Malagasy Coucal | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropus toulou | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.1 cm (12.2 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 154.5 g (5.45 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Malagasy Coucal only
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Malagasy Coucal
Melodic, beautiful descending phrase; clear flute-like notes with cascading richness, characteristic of Malagasy coua.
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
Malagasy Coucal
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Malagasy Coucal
Sulawesi Coucal: dark glossy brown above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Sulawesi island endemic coucal
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
Malagasy Coucal
Malagasy Coucal (Centropus toulou) — 38–44 cm. Rufous-chestnut above; black head and underparts; long tail. Endemic to Madagascar in forest edge, secondary vegetation, and wetland margins. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Two subspecies; common throughout the island.
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.