African Emerald Cuckoo vs Greater Ani
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Crotophaga major
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Greater Ani |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Crotophaga major |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 38.7 cm (15.2 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 184.625 g (6.51 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Insectivore of tropical South American marshes; eats hairy caterpillars, large beetles, and small lizards. Also … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 3-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Greater Ani only
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.
Greater Ani
Soft, wheezy call with plaintive quality; delicate notes given quietly from dense grassland cover at dawn.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Emerald Cuckoo
Greater Ani
Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Resident in lowland wetland habitats.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Greater Ani
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
Greater Ani
Black-eared Bronze-cuckoo: dark ear patch; bronze-green above; barred white below; red eye; distinctive dark ear patches; small
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.
Greater Ani
A large, all-black cuckoo (46-48 cm) with a keeled bill and long tail. Found in tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes from Mexico to Argentina. Gregarious, often in groups of 8-20. Insectivore and small vertebrate predator. Communal nester, with several females sharing nests.