African Emerald Cuckoo vs Pavonine Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Dromococcyx pavoninus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Pavonine Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Dromococcyx pavoninus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 25.6 cm (10.1 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 47.25 g (1.67 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| 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.
Pavonine Cuckoo
Loud, emphatic crowing call with harsh quality; resonant notes carrying well across open tropical forest edge.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Pavonine 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
Pavonine Cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo: rufous below; brown-barred above; blue orbital ring; long tail; ground-dwelling neotropical cuckoo; yellow eye
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.
Pavonine Cuckoo
Pavonine Cuckoo (Dromococcyx pavoninus) — 26–30 cm. Rufous-brown above; barred tail; whitish underparts; bare facial skin. Inhabits humid Amazonian and Atlantic forest understorey from Venezuela south to Argentina. Brood parasite; crepuscular. Insectivore. Resembles Pheasant Cuckoo but smaller with distinctive peacock-eye tail spots when spread.