African Emerald Cuckoo vs Black-billed Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Black-billed Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Coccyzus erythropthalmus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 27.4 cm (10.8 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 53.20000000000001 g (1.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Emerald Cuckoo
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low notes carrying far through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Black-billed Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep notes audible across dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
African Emerald Cuckoo
New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size
Black-billed Cuckoo
Gray-capped Cuckoo: gray cap; brown above; pale below; graduated dark tail; South American species; forest cuckoo
About These Birds
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.
Black-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) — 26–31 cm. Brown above; white below; all-dark bill; narrow red orbital ring; tail with small white spots. Migratory breeder in eastern North America; winters in South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore specialising in tent caterpillars and other hairy larvae.