Birds
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) female.jpg

African Emerald Cuckoo

African Emerald Cuckoo

100
-
Not yet spotted on Fladder
Spotted
The African Emerald Cuckoo is a stunningly iridescent green cuckoo found across sub-Saharan Africa. Males are entirely glossy emerald green, while females are duller with green barring. It is renowned for its beautiful, distinctive whistled call.
Where to spot
Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, preferring dense forests, woodlands, riverine thickets, and well-wooded gardens. It often favors areas with tall trees and ample foliage.
How to spot
Listen for its distinctive, whistled call, which is often the easiest way to detect its presence. Look for its brilliant green plumage as it perches high in trees, often obscured by leaves, making it challenging to spot despite its color.
When to spot
Most vocal during the breeding season, generally coinciding with the local rainy season when insects and caterpillars (their primary food) are abundant and host birds are nesting.
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) female.jpg
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) female 2.jpg
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) in tree.jpg
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) male.jpg
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus, wyfie, Eshowe, Birding Weto, a.jpg
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus (African emerald cuckoo).jpg
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus (Cuculidae) (African Emerald Cuckoo) - (female adult), Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, South Africa.jpg
File:Emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus insularum) male Sao Tome.jpg
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) female.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) female 2.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) in tree.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) male.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus, wyfie, Eshowe, Birding Weto, a.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus (African emerald cuckoo).jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Chrysococcyx cupreus (Cuculidae) (African Emerald Cuckoo) - (female adult), Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, South Africa.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus insularum) male Sao Tome.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
The African Emerald Cuckoo is famous for its distinctive and melodious 'hello, Joey!' or 'did-he-do-it' call, which carries well through the forest and is considered one of the most iconic sounds of the African woodlands.
Loading...

Spotted

No recently spotted birds

Monthly observations

No observations
Loading...
Nothing spotted yet

Also interesting

File:Coccyzus ferrugineus - Oliver Komar - 193303872.jpeg
100

Cocos Cuckoo

Cuckoos
File:Haitikuckuck Coccyzus longirostris.JPG
100

Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo

Cuckoos
File:Cuculus clamosus 79097750.jpg
100

Black Cuckoo

Cuckoos
File:Eudynamys melanorhynchus - Jesse Long - 410176448.jpeg
100

Black-billed Koel

Cuckoos
File:Common Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) at Narendrapur W IMG 4111.jpg
100

Common Hawk-Cuckoo

Cuckoos
File:Brown Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) May 2013 Port Blair Andaman.JPG
100

Andaman Coucal

Cuckoos
File:2025-02-02 01 Greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) - AZ USA.jpg
100

Greater Roadrunner

Cuckoos
File:Carpococcyx renauldi.jpg
100

Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo

Cuckoos
File:Coua ruficeps olivaceiceps Madagascar 1.jpg
100

Olive-capped Coua

Cuckoos
File:Blue-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris).jpg
100

Blue-faced Malkoha

Cuckoos