African Emerald Cuckoo vs Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Chrysococcyx cupreus compared with Surniculus musschenbroeki

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Emerald Cuckoo Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo
Scientific Name Chrysococcyx cupreus Surniculus musschenbroeki
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in) 25.6 cm (10.1 in)
Weight 38.0 g (1.34 oz) 29.7 g (1.05 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

African Emerald Cuckoo only

None

Moluccan Drongo-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.

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Song

Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep hollow notes carrying through dense humid forest in Southeast Asia.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Emerald Cuckoo

Least Concern

Moluccan Drongo-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

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Plumage

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black overall; drongo-like forked tail; pale tail tips; red eye; Moluccas island endemic drongo-cuckoo

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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.

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo

Moluccan Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus musschenbroeki) — 24–27 cm. Glossy black; deeply forked tail; white vent barring. Endemic to the Moluccas and Sulawesi, Indonesia. Inhabits forest and forest edge. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly studied.

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