Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Cercococcyx olivinus compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Cercococcyx olivinus Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 27.8 cm (10.9 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 65.83333333333333 g (2.32 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes given repeatedly from dense forest canopy. 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

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Plumage

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo: olive-brown above; pale buff below; very long graduated dark tail; red eye; olive coloration diagnostic

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx olivinus) — 28–32 cm. Olive-brown above; pale buff below with faint barring; long tail. Found in montane and submontane forest of West and Central Africa. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known; locally rare.

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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