Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Cercococcyx montanus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cercococcyx montanus Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 29.3 cm (11.5 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 58.0 g (2.05 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying through dense humid 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

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo: brown above; pale below with dark barring; very long graduated dark barred tail; red eye; barred pattern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; whitish below with bold dark barring throughout; long tail. Inhabits montane forest undergrowth in East and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Skulking; identified by its high-pitched whistled song.

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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