African Emerald Cuckoo vs Dark-billed Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Coccyzus melacoryphus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Dark-billed Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Coccyzus melacoryphus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 23.3 cm (9.2 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 53.125 g (1.87 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-4 |
| 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.
Dark-billed Cuckoo
Loud, harsh raucous call; piercing rough notes carrying powerfully through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Dark-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
Dark-billed Cuckoo
Striped Cuckoo (Tapera): white below with dark streaks; boldly streaked brown above; long white-tipped tail; pale supercilium; slim
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.
Dark-billed Cuckoo
Dark-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus) — 26–30 cm. Brown above; pale buff below; dark bill without yellow lower mandible; tail with white spots. Widespread from Colombia south to Argentina; migratory populations reach the Galápagos. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; forages in dense vegetation.