African Emerald Cuckoo vs Red-billed Ground-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Neomorphus pucheranii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Red-billed Ground-cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Neomorphus pucheranii |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 33.7 cm (13.3 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 330.0 g (11.64 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| 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 Ground-cuckoo
Loud, harsh cackling call; piercing raucous notes carrying well across tall dense tropical forest habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Red-billed Ground-cuckoo
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 Ground-cuckoo
Goliath Coucal: very large; dark brown above; rich rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; impressive large size
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 Ground-cuckoo
Red-billed Ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus pucheranii) — 46–50 cm. Greenish-brown above; rufous-buff below; bright red decurved bill; bare blue orbital patch. Inhabits dense lowland forest of western Amazonia in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Non-parasitic; terrestrial; follows army ants for flushed prey. Insectivore. Secretive and rarely observed.