Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo
Cercococcyx mechowi compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo | African Emerald Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cercococcyx mechowi | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 26.1 cm (10.3 in) | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 57.0 g (2.01 oz) | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with hollow resonant quality; distinctive far-carrying notes through dense forest.
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
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
African Emerald Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo: dark dusky brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; forest canopy specialist
African Emerald Cuckoo
About These Birds
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi) — 28–32 cm. Dark brown above; pale buff below with fine dark barring; very long graduated tail. Inhabits dense forest understorey across Central Africa. Brood parasite targeting ant-thrushes and other forest passerines. Insectivore. Secretive; more often heard than seen.
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.