Pied Bronze-cuckoo vs African Emerald Cuckoo

Chalcites crassirostris compared with Chrysococcyx cupreus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Pied Bronze-cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chalcites crassirostris Chrysococcyx cupreus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 17.2 cm (6.8 in) 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 18.6 g (0.66 oz) 38.0 g (1.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Pied Bronze-cuckoo only

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Pied Bronze-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich resonant notes given from tall forest canopy in Africa. 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

Pied Bronze-cuckoo

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Pied Bronze-cuckoo

Plumage

Pied Bronze-cuckoo: black-and-white pied patterning; black above with white spots; white below with bold barring; distinctive pied pattern

African Emerald Cuckoo

About These Birds

Pied Bronze-cuckoo

Pied Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites crassirostris) — 16–18 cm. Strikingly pied: glossy black above; pure white below; no barring; heavy bill. Found in forest and forest edge of the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands. Brood parasite; host species uncertain. 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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