African Emerald Cuckoo vs Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Coccyzus americanus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Coccyzus americanus
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in) 28.7 cm (11.3 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 56.73333333333333 g (2.00 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 1-5
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Yellow-billed Cuckoo only

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Song & Call Comparison

African Emerald Cuckoo

Song

Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low notes carrying far through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep musical notes audible impressively through dense tropical forest.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Least Concern

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

African Emerald Cuckoo

Plumage

New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Plumage

Little Cuckoo: small; rich chestnut-rufous above; pale buff below; rufous tail; yellow bill; neotropical squirrel cuckoo group

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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.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) — 27–32 cm. Brown above; white below; yellow lower mandible; rufous wing patches in flight; white-spotted tail. Migratory breeder in North America; winters in South America. Non-parasitic. Insectivore specialising in caterpillars and cicadas. Western population listed as Threatened.

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