African Emerald Cuckoo vs Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Surniculus dicruroides
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Surniculus dicruroides |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 34.96666666666667 g (1.23 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.
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes given from tall forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
African Emerald Cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black; deeply forked tail; drongo mimic; pale tail base; red eye; southeast Asian 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.
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) — 25–28 cm. Glossy black with forked tail; resembles drongo closely; fine white barring on vent. Found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia in forest and forest edge. Brood parasite; mimics drongos to approach host nests. Insectivore.