African Emerald Cuckoo vs Madagascar Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Cuculus rochii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Madagascar Cuckoo
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Cuculus rochii
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in) 32.7 cm (12.9 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 62.0 g (2.19 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Madagascar 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.

Madagascar Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Madagascar.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Least Concern

Madagascar 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

Madagascar Cuckoo

Plumage

Madagascar Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; Madagascar migratory species

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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.

Madagascar Cuckoo

Madagascar Cuckoo (Cuculus rochii) — 26–29 cm. Grey above; barred underparts; yellow orbital ring. Summer visitor to Madagascar; winters to East Africa. Brood parasite targeting Madagascar warblers and other small passerines. Insectivore. The only truly migratory cuckoo of the Western Indian Ocean region.

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