African Emerald Cuckoo vs Black-bellied Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Piaya melanogaster
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Emerald Cuckoo | Black-bellied Cuckoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysococcyx cupreus | Piaya melanogaster |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.1 cm (8.3 in) | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) |
| Weight | 38.0 g (1.34 oz) | 102.4 g (3.61 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.
Black-bellied Cuckoo
Loud, resonant call with nasal quality; carrying notes given from forest perch in Southeast Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
African Emerald Cuckoo
Black-bellied 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
Black-bellied Cuckoo
Pied Cuckoo (Clamator): black above with white spots; white below; black crest; long white-tipped tail; crested Asian-African species
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.
Black-bellied Cuckoo
Black-bellied Cuckoo (Piaya melanogaster) — 35–40 cm. Rufous above; jet-black belly; greenish bill; long tail. Inhabits humid Amazonian forest and tall secondary growth. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; forages in the mid-storey and canopy. Less common than the Squirrel Cuckoo; restricted to lowland Amazonia.