Klaas's Cuckoo vs Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx klaas compared with Morococcyx erythropygus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Klaas's Cuckoo | Lesser Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx klaas | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) | 19.8 cm (7.8 in) |
| Weight | 27.919999999999998 g (0.98 oz) | 66.6 g (2.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Klaas's Cuckoo
Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating rough notes carrying well through dense forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Soft, ventriloquial whistled phrase; clear pure notes given quietly and deceptively from dense tropical thicket.
Conservation Status
Klaas's Cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Klaas's Cuckoo
Black-eared Bronze-cuckoo: dark ear patch; bronze-green above; barred white below; red eye; distinctive dark ear patch; small
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner: boldly streaked brown above; white-cream below with dark streaks; long tail; shaggy crest; bare facial skin; fast runner
About These Birds
Klaas's Cuckoo
Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) — 17–18 cm. Male: plain iridescent green above; white below with faint green-grey barring on flanks; white behind eye. Female: barred green-brown and buff. Inhabits forest edge, woodland, and gardens across sub-Saharan Africa. Brood parasite targeting sunbirds and warblers. Insectivore.
Lesser Ground-cuckoo
Lesser Ground-cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) — 28 cm. Brown above; chestnut rump; whitish underparts; bare blue orbital skin. Inhabits dry and semi-arid scrub from Mexico to Costa Rica. Non-parasitic; builds its own nest in low shrubs. Runs on the ground hunting large insects, lizards, and amphibians. Monotypic genus endemic to Mesoamerica.