Diederik Cuckoo vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx caprius compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Diederik Cuckoo | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx caprius | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.7 cm (8.9 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 32.44 g (1.14 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Diederik Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; deep hollow notes audible far through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Diederik Cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Diederik Cuckoo
Broad-billed Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; broadly barred white below; wide complete bars; reddish eye; Australian species
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner: boldly streaked brown above; white-cream below with dark streaks; long tail; shaggy crest; bare facial skin; fast runner
About These Birds
Diederik Cuckoo
Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) — 18–20 cm. Male: iridescent green with white spots; white eye-stripe; red eye; white below with green barring. Female: bronze-green with copper streaks. Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa in woodland and savanna. Brood parasite targeting weavers. Insectivore. Named for its 'dee-dee-dee-diederik' call.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) — 28 cm. Brown above; chestnut rump; whitish underparts; bare blue orbital skin. Inhabits dry and semi-arid scrub from Mexico to Costa Rica. Non-parasitic; builds its own nest in low shrubs. Runs on the ground hunting large insects, lizards, and amphibians. Monotypic genus endemic to Mesoamerica.