African Emerald Cuckoo vs Channel-billed Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Scythrops novaehollandiae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Channel-billed Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Scythrops novaehollandiae |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 67.8 cm (26.7 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 680.5 g (24.00 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
African Emerald Cuckoo only
None
Channel-billed Cuckoo 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.
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Loud, melodic call with musical quality; resonant notes building in pleasant sequence from forest perch.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Channel-billed 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
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Little Bronze-cuckoo: small; bronze-green above; barred white below; red eye; iridescent green-bronze; Papuan species; tiny size
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.
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae) — 58–65 cm; wingspan to 100 cm. The world's largest cuckoo; pale grey; enormous decurved horn-coloured bill; bare red orbital skin. Migratory; breeds in Australia and New Guinea; winters in Indonesia. Brood parasite targeting currawongs and magpies. Frugivore; disperses wild figs.