African Emerald Cuckoo vs Black-billed Koel

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Eudynamys melanorhynchus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Black-billed Koel
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Eudynamys melanorhynchus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 199.875 g (7.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Black-billed Koel only

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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.

Black-billed Koel

Song

Loud, resonant call with musical quality; rich carrying notes given from tall forest tree in Borneo.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Not Evaluated

Black-billed Koel

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How to Tell Them Apart

African Emerald Cuckoo

Plumage

New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size

Black-billed Koel

Plumage

Golden Bronze-cuckoo: golden-bronze iridescence; white barred underparts; golden-green head; bronze sheen; small Pacific cuckoo

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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.

Black-billed Koel

Black-billed Koel (Eudynamys melanorhynchus) — 38–44 cm. Male glossy black with a dark bill (unlike related koels with pale bills); female similar to Western Koel female. Endemic to Sulawesi and Sula Islands in Indonesia. Brood parasite; hosts include corvids. Frugivore and insectivore.

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