Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Cercococcyx montanus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

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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
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

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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.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

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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

Plumage

New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size

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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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