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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