African Emerald Cuckoo vs Malay Hawk-Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Hierococcyx fugax

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Malay Hawk-Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Hierococcyx fugax
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in) 35.0 cm (13.8 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 69.25 g (2.44 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo 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.

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, harsh raucous call; penetrating rough notes given from forest canopy in Southeast Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Least Concern

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

African Emerald Cuckoo

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo: gray-brown above; white below with rufous barring; hawk-like; long barred tail; yellow eye-ring; Malaysian species

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.

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo

Malay Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx fugax) — 28–32 cm. Brown-grey above; rufous breast band; whitish barred belly; barred tail; yellow orbital ring. Inhabits forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Brood parasite targeting flycatchers and babblers. Insectivore.

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