African Emerald Cuckoo vs Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Hierococcyx sparverioides
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Large Hawk-Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Hierococcyx sparverioides |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 47.0 cm (18.5 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 144.75 g (5.11 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.
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call; powerful resonant notes carrying across dense forest in South Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
African Emerald Cuckoo
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Large Hawk-Cuckoo: gray-brown above; white below with rufous streaking; hawk-like; long tail; yellow eye-ring; large size; streaked
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.
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Large Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) — 38–42 cm. The largest hawk-cuckoo; grey above; whitish below with heavy rufous streaking; barred tail. Inhabits forest and forest edge from the Himalayas through Southeast Asia and China. Migratory. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Famous for its 'brain-fever' call accelerating to a frenzied pitch.