African Emerald Cuckoo vs Red-billed Malkoha
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Zanclostomus javanicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Red-billed Malkoha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Zanclostomus javanicus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 28.8 cm (11.3 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 115.5 g (4.07 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.
Red-billed Malkoha
Sharp, staccato chip note; clean emphatic sound repeated rhythmically from dense tropical scrub habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Red-billed Malkoha
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
Red-billed Malkoha
Olive-capped Coua: olive-green crown; gray body; white below; bare blue facial skin; long graduated tail; Madagascar species; olive cap
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.
Red-billed Malkoha
Red-billed Malkoha (Zanclostomus javanicus) — 38–44 cm. Blue-green above with a rufous belly; bright red bill and bare red orbital skin; long white-tipped tail. Inhabits primary and tall secondary forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. Non-parasitic. Insectivore feeding on large caterpillars and invertebrates.