Chrysococcyx cupreus
The African Emerald Cuckoo, *Chrysococcyx cupreus*, is a stunning medium-sized cuckoo renowned for the male's dazzling iridescent plumage. Males boast a brilliant metallic emerald-green head, back, and wings, contrasting sharply with a vibrant yellow belly and undertail coverts, often exhibiting a coppery sheen in certain light, and striking red eyes. Females are duller, with a glossy green back, a rufous or duller green crown, and distinct green barring on a white or pale buff throat and bre...
Found in tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, riparian thickets, and dense secondary growth from sea level up to 3,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding heavily on caterpillars (including hairy varieties toxic to many birds), beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and flies. They forage in the canopy of trees and shrubs.
African Emerald Cuckoos are diurnal but often secretive, spending most of their time in the dense canopy. Males are highly vocal, especially during the breeding season, delivering their distinctive calls from prominent perches to proclaim territory and attract females. As brood parasites, they do...
The African Emerald Cuckoo is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting a broad band from West Africa eastward through Central Africa and extending south to the eastern parts of Southern Africa. Its breeding range largely aligns with the rainy season in different regions, with populations ...
Least Concern
- The male African Emerald Cuckoo's iridescent green plumage is structural, meaning its color changes from emerald to coppery or blue depending on the angle of light. - Despite its brilliant colors, this cuckoo is remarkably elusive, often heard delivering its characteristic 'tiu-tiu-tui' call lo...