Whistling Yellowbill vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Ceuthmochares australis compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Whistling Yellowbill African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Ceuthmochares australis Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 24.4 cm (9.6 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 64.2 g (2.26 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-4 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Whistling Yellowbill only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Whistling Yellowbill

Song

Loud, harsh call with penetrating quality; rough resonant notes carrying through dense forest 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

Whistling Yellowbill

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Whistling Yellowbill

Whistling Yellowbill (Ceuthmochares australis) — 30–35 cm. Very similar to Chattering Yellowbill — grey plumage; yellow bill; long tail — but distinguished by its melodic whistled song rather than chattering calls. Found in forest and forest edge in East and Southeast Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. Non-parasitic. Insectivore.

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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