African Emerald Cuckoo vs Snail-eating Coua

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Coua delalandei

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Snail-eating Coua
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Coua delalandei
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Extinct
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 110.0 g (3.88 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Snail-eating Coua only

Song & Call Comparison

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.

Snail-eating Coua

Song

Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich clear resonant notes audible through tropical forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Extinct

Snail-eating 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.

Snail-eating Coua

Snail-eating Coua (Coua delalandei) — ~55 cm. Extinct. Last recorded on Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, in the mid-19th century. Large terrestrial cuckoo; purplish-blue and brown plumage; bare blue orbital skin. Presumed a specialist predator of large land snails. Driven to extinction by hunting and introduced predators.

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