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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Pied Coucal
Canto
Loud, far-carrying cooing call; deep resonant notes given repeatedly from tall forest tree in Africa.
African Emerald Cuckoo
Canto
Deep, hollow resonant booming call; powerful low notes carrying far through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Estado de conservación
Least Concern
Pied Coucal
Least Concern
African Emerald Cuckoo
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Pied Coucal
Plumaje
Biak Coucal: dark brown above with iridescent gloss; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Biak island endemic
African Emerald Cuckoo
Plumaje
New Caledonian Bronze-cuckoo: bronze-green above; barred white below; island endemic; red eye; iridescent bronze-green; small size
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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Pied Coucal (Centropus ateralbus) — 55–60 cm. Striking black-and-white coucal; glossy black wings and tail; pure white head, neck, and underparts. Restricted to New Britain and nearby islands (Papua New Guinea) in forest edge and secondary growth. Non-parasitic. Omnivore; hunts lizards, large insects, and small vertebrates. Status locally secure.
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.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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