African Emerald Cuckoo vs Running Coua
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Coua cursor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Running Coua |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Coua cursor |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 26.3 cm (10.4 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 110.5 g (3.90 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| 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.
Running Coua
Loud, shrill call with penetrating quality; high resonant notes carrying powerfully through dense forest.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Running Coua
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.
Running Coua
Running Coua (Coua cursor) — 38–42 cm. Pale grey-brown above; whitish below; bare blue-and-red orbital skin; long tail held upright; strongly terrestrial. Restricted to the arid south and southwest of Madagascar in sandy scrub and dry thicket. Non-parasitic; runs rapidly across open ground. Omnivore.